This call for applications is directed at scientists and experts with expertise and experience in the health effects of pesticides who are interested in contributing to the work being carried out by Santé publique France.

Through this call, Santé publique France, the National Public Health Agency, seeks to establish an independent scientific advisory board, the details of which are outlined below.

Santé publique France will conduct two studies among residents living near agricultural fields, focusing on their exposure to pesticides and the impact on their health:

• a national study on the link between childhood cancers and proximity to agricultural fields, in collaboration with Santé publique France and the Inserm-EPICEA research team leading the Géocap program. This study will draw on data from the National Registry of Childhood Cancers and an agricultural exposure indicator developed by Santé publique France. This study will be funded by ANSES as part of phytopharmacovigilance;

• subject to feasibility, a multi-site exposure study among residents living near agricultural crops, coupled with environmental measurements.

If applicable, the results of these studies may be used in the expert assessments conducted by ANSES as part of phytopharmacovigilance.

This call for applications is intended to solicit national and international candidates for the formation of the independent scientific advisory board that will oversee these two studies.

The missions of Santé publique France, the National Public Health Agency

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

Santé publique France’s mission is to effectively protect the health of the population. As a scientific and expert agency in the health sector, it is responsible for:

• epidemiological observation and monitoring of the health status of the population;

• monitoring health risks threatening the population;

• health promotion and the reduction of health risks;

• developing prevention and health education;

• preparing for and responding to health threats, alerts, and crises;

• issuing public health alerts.

Within its scope of authority and to carry out its missions, the agency applies expertise consistent with the principles set forth in Article L. 1452-1.

In collaboration with stakeholders on the ground, the agency produces independent scientific expertise upon which it bases its planning approach, schedules its interventions, and allocates its resources. This knowledge, which is constantly updated, is made available to the competent authorities to inform health policies and to preserve and promote health.

Mandate of the Scientific Council on "Residents Living Near Croplands, Pesticides, and Health"

This independent scientific council will serve as the primary advisory body for all scientific issues raised by the two proposed studies.

Its opinions will focus in particular on:

• the scientific direction of the two studies;

• the methodology to be followed (protocol, development of exposure indicators, agricultural crops to be considered, study period, study population, choice of biomarkers and matrices, etc.);

• the interpretation of results and future directions.

More specifically for the year 2017, this scientific advisory board will issue an opinion on:

• the development of geographic indicators of exposure to agricultural plots;

• the initial results of spatio-temporal variations in childhood cancer incidence rates;

• the protocol for the exposure study, subject to feasibility;

• the selection of biomarkers and matrices to be considered;

• the analytical techniques under consideration.

Composition

The group will consist of approximately ten national or international experts.

Committee members serve in their personal capacity and therefore cannot be replaced. This is a participation based on personal expertise rather than institutional representation.

The group may include scientists from working groups or expert committees led by ANSES as part of the phytopharmacovigilance system.

Selection and exclusion criteria

The selection of applications will be carried out by Santé publique France, with appointments made by the Director General of Santé publique France.

Applications will be reviewed confidentially and in accordance with the criteria established by the agency. Only complete applications will be considered.

The selection of Scientific Council members will be conducted in such a way as to ensure a balanced composition in terms of scientific disciplines and expertise represented.

During the selection process, Santé publique France will be particularly vigilant regarding potential conflicts of interest.

Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the review of their application via email from the Council Secretariat.

Exclusion criteria apply to individuals:

• who have been inactive for more than five years, as this situation does not allow for the updating of their skills and knowledge in their field;

• members of the Scientific Council, the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee, and the Steering and Dialogue Committee of Santé publique France;

• Risks of conflicts of interest identified by the agency during the review of the Public Declaration of Interest.

Required Skills

Through this call for applications, Santé publique France is seeking scientists whose expertise falls within the following fields:

General expertise in the fields of:

• pesticide exposure;

• epidemiology;

• environmental health;

• biostatistics and geographic information systems.

Scientific and technical skills:

• exposometrics (exposure assessment);

• clinical and analytical toxicology;

• medical (oncology, pediatrics);

• use of plant protection products, agronomic practices;

• behavior of substances in the environment: fate and behavior of plant protection products in soil, water, and air;

• mechanisms of transfer and dispersion of substances in the environment;

• monitoring and analytical methods: analytical chemistry, metrology, sampling, atmospheric sampling, environmental monitoring;

• environmental and spatial modeling tools;

• ethics;

• humanities and social sciences.

Functioning of the Scientific Council

Members of the Scientific Council are appointed for the duration of the studies.

The Scientific Council will meet two to four times a year for one-day sessions.

The chair of the council is appointed from among its members by the Director General of Santé publique France.

Members sign a "Confidentiality Agreement and Commitment to Regularly Attend Meetings."

The scientific and administrative secretariat of this Scientific Council will be provided by the Health and Environment Directorate of Santé publique France.

The Director General of Santé publique France will provide the necessary resources for its operation.

Compensation and Travel Expenses

Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed under the conditions applicable to civilian government employees.

Compensation for loss of income in the case of private practice and compensation for time spent participating in meetings and for work performed will be based on the scale established by the Board of Directors of Santé publique France.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted to Santé publique France no later than June 30, 2017:

• by email to: cspesticidesriverains@santepubliquefrance.fr

• by mail (postmark as proof of submission) to: Mr. Director General of Santé publique France, Attention: Health and Environment Division, National Public Health Agency, 12, rue du Val d’Osne, 94415 Saint-Maurice Cedex, France.

Applications must include a cover letter, a simplified resume (in French) listing qualifications and work experience, and a public declaration of interests to be completed via the Santé publique France application available at the following link: http://dpi.santepubliquefrance.fr

Each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application.