EFSA Guest Programme Call 2026/2027

EFSA Guest Programme 2026/2027

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy, is opening positions for Guest Scientists & Professionals across all EFSA Units and Departments.

Would you like to join our Agency for a few months and take part in different projects? Would you be interested to share your expertise with us while gaining valuable insights from the work we do to ensure food safety within the EU? Would you like to enter the EU Agencies ecosystem and get hands-on experience?

As a guest professional, you would bring your expertise to EFSA and take back to your home administration or university the knowledge acquired during your period of secondment.

The Guest Programme is open to scientists, employees of public administration, institutions or international organisations, and PhD/master's candidates. It is a cost-free scheme for which EFSA does not pay any financial contribution to the selected candidates. The secondment will take place either at the premises of EFSA or remotely.

Your key objectives

Under the supervision of an Adviser within the unit of assignment, you will have the opportunity to:

• Gain first-hand experience in a scientific EU Agency allowing you to develop new competencies and skills in line with personal interests and professional aspirations.
• Contribute to specific and/or research projects with new ideas and innovative solutions.
• Bring forward your project and deepen your research in collaboration with experts in the field.
• Extend links to the international risk assessment community.

The content of your project and/or research depends on your interests and on EFSA’s work priorities. You may select up to two different areas of interest, in order of preference, related to your background and competencies.

Duration

The duration of the placement will be specified in the offer.

Why EFSA

You will play an active role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of about 450 million EU citizens. EFSA employs more than 550 staff members, and its Scientific Committee and Panels engage highly qualified and independent scientific experts. Every position within EFSA plays an important part in creating an inspirational environment in which to work and develop.

While working for EFSA you will have the chance to make a difference to European food safety in an international and dynamic environment. You will also be able to participate in several valuable networking opportunities across Europe.

Furthermore, you will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the Transparency Regulation: EFSA expanded its mandate and has grown considerably over the last few years.

Selection requirements

You must satisfy the following conditions in order to apply for the EFSA Guest Programme Call.

Eligibility criteria

1. Have a good knowledge of English (minimum level: B2 according to CEFR).
2. Meet the character requirements needed for the duties involved in EU institutions (e.g. confirming that you have no criminal record).
3. The candidate must come from:

• a national public administration;
• a public intergovernmental organisation (IGO);
• an independent university or research organisation which does not set out to make profits for redistribution;
• an employer which is in fact part of the public sector.

Practical information

• EFSA does not pay any financial contribution to the selected candidates nor cover any expenses incurred by them.
• The duration of the placement will be specified by the relevant Head of Unit and will depend on the selected project.
• While the call is open, applications may be submitted at any time and both withdrawals and application updates are possible.
• Non-EU candidates are required to obtain the relevant visa.