COT Secretariat
Food Standards Agency
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
Tel: 020 7276 8522
Fax: 020 7276 8513
cot@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
The COT is an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body providing independent expert advice on toxicological risk to humans. The Committee's advice has consistently provided the sound scientific basis for the development of policy on issues that have major implications for public health, the economy and consumer confidence in food safety.
Please note that these positions are not offers of employment.
Vacancies for specialist members
Periodically applications are invited from anyone with experience in any of the following areas: analytical techniques, biochemistry, bioinformatics, cell biology, clinical practice, endocrinology, epidemiology, immunology, mechanistic toxicology, molecular biology, neurotoxicology, nutrition, paediatrics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, probabilistic modelling, reproductive toxicology, respiratory toxicology, risk assessment, statistical aspects of experimental design, statistics, toxicological pathology and/or xenobiotic metabolism.
Candidates must be strong team players, with effective communication, negotiation, judgement and influencing skills combined with strong analytical and problem solving skills. As a COT member you must be able to weigh issues outside your own specialist areas and to appreciate the impact that COT decisions may have on public health, consumers and the environment. You must be able to work in a committee structure to arrive at sound, balanced and timely decisions.
Appointments will initially be for a three year term, and may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance reviews, which will be carried out annually. There are normally six meetings a year in London and 1 outside London. An attendance allowance and reading payment will be available and all legitimate expenses will be fully reimbursed.
Although these appointments do not come within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, they are being made using a process which takes into account the Commissioner's Code of Practice as good practice. Selection will be in accordance with the Government's Equal Opportunities policy.
The Agency is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender and working patterns and to the principle of public appointments on merit with independent assessments, openness and transparency of process.