Only complete applications will be considered.

The selection of applications for the Scientific Council will be based on the information provided in the cover letter, the candidates’ alignment with the required skills, an analysis of conflicts of interest, and the necessary multidisciplinary and diverse composition of the group to address the full scope of the issue at hand.

Public declarations of interest will be reviewed by Santé publique France’s Internal Ethics Committee.

Candidates will be informed of the outcome of the review of their application via email from the committee’s secretariat.

Members of the Scientific Council will be appointed by decision of the Director General of Santé publique France; the declarations of interests of Scientific Council members are published on the DPI SANTE website.

Members of the Scientific Council, the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee, and the Steering and Dialogue Committee of Santé publique France are not eligible to apply.

The National Public Health Agency, established by Order No. 2016-462 of April 14, 2016, is a public administrative agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

To learn more about the missions of Santé publique France: https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/a-propos/sante-publique-france-qui-sommes-nous

Mandate of the Scientific Council

Feedback from ecological studies conducted locally around industrial sites or contaminated soil situations has highlighted the limitations and difficulties in interpreting this type of study when conducted around a single site (lack of statistical power to detect a potential excess risk, ecological bias, etc.). Consequently, Santé publique France has initiated a review of the implementation of multicenter studies around sites with common characteristics.

Initially, following a referral from the Directorate General for Health regarding the advisability of establishing epidemiological surveillance around major French industrial basins, it was decided to assess the feasibility of conducting a multicenter study focused on industrial basins. These areas, which suffer from multiple sources of environmental pollution, are often perceived as generating noise, odor, and visual nuisances, leading to a decline in the health of the surrounding population.

After identifying the industrial areas present on French territory and conducting a review of the various types of studies carried out locally,¹ Santé publique France proposes to implement an ecological study to be conducted around several industrial areas sharing common characteristics in terms of activities. A national surveillance program, based on the repeated conduct of this study over time, would then allow for the monitoring of various health indicators among the populations living near these industrial areas.

In a second phase, it will be considered to conduct multicenter studies on other contaminated soil situations (sensitive facilities or mines).

This project involves numerous shared partners on whom Santé publique France can legitimately rely and with whom it can interact. The project’s priorities are to reflect on the methodological aspects of multicenter studies, first focusing on industrial basins and then on contaminated soil sites, with the aim of epidemiological surveillance.

Role of the Scientific Council

The establishment of the Scientific Advisory Board on multicenter studies focusing on industrial basins and contaminated soils aims to ensure the scientific consistency, relevance, and quality of the study protocols to be implemented, as well as their results and interpretations. The Scientific Advisory Board will be tasked with providing comments, opinions, and recommendations to Santé publique France on these various aspects.

Composition of the Scientific Council

This Scientific Council will consist of approximately ten members, both French and foreign, appointed by the Director General of Santé publique France.

Members of the Scientific Advisory Board will serve in their personal capacity and may not be replaced.

The Scientific Council must have a multidisciplinary composition (see below for the expertise sought) in order to provide a broad perspective on the scientific challenges posed by the proposed methodological approaches.

Experience in soliciting or conducting studies on contaminated soil and/or the impact of active ICPEs.

Specific skills:

• In environmental health, knowledge of epidemiology, quantitative risk assessment, impact assessments, and pollutant toxicology is expected;

• Regarding the characterization of environmental exposure, knowledge is expected regarding the sources of emissions and pollution under consideration, the behavior of emitted pollutants, and the assessment and/or modeling of exposures;

• Regarding medical databases, knowledge is expected regarding the organization and content of registries (cancer, congenital malformations, etc.) and the National Health Data System (SNDS).

This Scientific Council is established for a term of four years, which is renewable. The chair of the council is appointed from among its members by the Director General of Santé publique France.

The Scientific Council will meet twice a year and as needed, depending on the project’s progress.

The Scientific Council’s work is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2021.

Members will sign a “Confidentiality Agreement and a Commitment to Attend Meetings Regularly” and to participate in any necessary drafting or proofreading work in the interim.

Members will have access to information held by Santé publique France that is necessary for the requested work.

The Director General of Santé publique France will provide the resources necessary for the Scientific Council to function.

The scientific and administrative secretariat for this committee will be provided by the Health, Environment, and Work Directorate of Santé publique France.

The Scientific Council may conduct hearings with any individual whose knowledge and experience are deemed necessary for its mission.

When issuing its opinions and recommendations, the Scientific Council may be required to meet in closed session. Opinions and recommendations shall be issued unanimously or by majority vote, with minority opinions noted.

Travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the terms and conditions applicable to civilian government employees.

Compensation for members of the Scientific Council for attending meetings and producing work (reviewing and editing texts prepared by the Agency, drafting content, etc.) will be provided in accordance with the schedule established by the Board of Directors of Santé publique France.