Guidance

Application and selection process

Published 31 August 2026

1. About SAC recruitment

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Science Council and Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs).

We are recruiting several vacancies across our Science Council and SACs, including chair, full and/or associate member and lay member roles in a range of areas of expertise.

Before applying, we recommend that you:

• review the expertise requirements for the vacancy
• read the role descriptions and committee information
• consider how your expertise and experience match the selection criteria on eligibility, time commitment and appointment terms

We welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including academia, research organisations, industry, healthcare, consumer organisations, the third sector, etc.

Applications are assessed on the evidence provided against the selection criteria. We recognise that applicants may have gained relevant expertise and experience through a variety of career paths. If your expertise and experience align with the advertised requirements, we encourage you to apply even if you have not previously served on a SAC.

We look forward to receiving your application.

2. Closing date

Submit completed applications by email to SACrecruitment@food.gov.uk by 23:59 on 12 October 2026.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

After the closing date, applications will be assessed against the selection criteria. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview.

3. How to apply

3.1 Submitting your application

To apply, email the following documents to SACrecruitment@food.gov.uk:

1. CV.

2. Supporting statement.

3. Completed Declaration of Interests (DoI) form.

4. Completed monitoring form.

Please include the committee and role in the email subject line. For example: ACNFP chair, or Science Council lay member.

If you are applying for more than one vacancy, you must submit a separate email for each application. Further guidance is provided in Section 3.2 below.

3.2 Applying for more than one vacancy

Applicants are welcome to apply for more than one area of expertise within a SAC and for roles on more than one committee, provided their expertise matches the requirements of the vacancies.

If you are applying for more than one area of expertise within the same SAC and for the same role, you only need to submit one application. In your supporting statement, clearly indicate all areas of expertise for which you wish to be considered.

Applications for chair positions are restricted to a single SAC. For example, an application may be submitted for either the ACNFP chair role or the ACAF chair role, but not for both. However, applicants who are applying to a chair role may still apply for other non-chair vacancies where their expertise and experience match the advertised requirements.

If you wish to apply for vacancies across different SACs or for different roles, you should:

• submit a separate application for each SAC and role
• send each application in a separate email
• include the SAC and role in the email subject line (for example, ACNFP full member)

You may use the same CV, DoI and monitoring forms for multiple applications, provided the information is accurate and no changes are required to tailor your application. However, a unique supporting statement is required for each application.

The recruitment panel will assess each application separately.

3.3 Virtual information session

The FSA SAC Recruitment Team will host a virtual information session for prospective applicants on Friday 18 September 2026, from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

The session will provide information about:

• the available vacancies
• the work of the Science Council and SACs
• the application and assessment process
• preparing an application

Current committee members and FSA colleagues who support the committees will be available to answer questions.

Prospective applicants can register for the session using this Microsoft form and submit questions in advance to be addressed during the session.

3.4 Use of Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn.

3.5 Changes to your circumstances

You must inform the FSA if, during the application and assessment process, your circumstances change in respect to any information that has been or should have been provided by you in your application.

4. Supporting statement

At the start of your supporting statement, please provide:

• your full name
• the committee you are applying for (COT, ACSS, etc.)
• the role you are applying for (chair, full member or lay member)
• the specific expertise area(s) advertised by the SAC that matches your application
• in addition to the area(s) of expertise for which you are applying, please list up to three further areas of expertise you have that are relevant to the committee’s work
• whether you would be willing to be considered for an alternative role, where applicable, for example, associate member instead of full member, or full member instead of chair

Your supporting statement should then explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the role you are applying for.

4.1 Writing a strong supporting statement

Limit your response to a maximum of 500 words per criterion and write acronyms in full the first time they are used.

To help the recruitment panel assess your application:

• use each selection criterion as a heading
• provide clear examples demonstrating how you meet the selection criterion
• explain your personal contribution when describing collaborative work
• focus on evidence most relevant to the role and area(s) of expertise you are applying for
• demonstrate the impact or outcome of your work where possible

Strong applications often provide evidence of:

• expertise relevant to the advertised vacancy
• contribution to advisory groups, committees or working groups
• analysis of complex evidence or data
• independent judgement
• collaboration and communication with specialist and non-specialist audiences

5. CV

We recommend that your CV does not exceed three pages, excluding annexes. Please ensure your CV includes:

• title and full name
• preferred contact email address
• preferred contact telephone number
• highest level of qualification
• details of your current membership of bodies, societies, organisations, etc
• employment history including current or most recent role and key responsibilities
• you may provide details of up to four previous roles or employers
• you may also include up to 10 relevant publications as an annex

6. Declaration of interests form

Guidance to complete the DoI can be found within the form.

Please ensure all relevant interests are declared.

7. Monitoring form

As part of the monitoring form, you will be asked to:

• provide diversity information to help identify any unintended barriers to applying and to understand whether further action is needed to encourage applications from a broader range of applicants
• check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate and complete
• request reasonable adjustments, if required, or indicate if you wish to apply through the Disability Confident scheme
• omplete any required declarations, including those relating to the Seven Principles of Public Life and any interests or circumstances that could affect public confidence in your appointment

Diversity information is collected separately from your application. It will not be seen by the recruitment panel and will not be used as part of the selection process.

Other information provided in the monitoring form, such as personal details, requests for reasonable adjustments and required declarations, will be used to administer the recruitment process and may be reviewed by relevant FSA staff where necessary.

8. Recruitment process

The recruitment process consists of:

• application submission
• application assessment (sift)
• interview (including presentation)
• recruitment panel recommendation
• outcome communicated to applicants

We will keep applicants informed throughout the process and will notify all applicants of the outcome of their application.

8.1 Application assessment (sift) 

Your application will be assessed against the selection criteria. The recruitment panel will look for clear, relevant evidence demonstrating how your expertise and experience meet the requirements of the role.

We will inform you by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview.

If there is a high volume of applications, we may be unable to provide individual feedback at this stage.

All of your information will be processed in line with the Personal information charter and the Data Protection Act 2018. 

8.2 Interview  

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.

The interview is an opportunity for you to expand on the examples provided in your application and discuss how your experience and expertise meet the selection criteria for the role.

A range of questions will be asked to allow you to demonstrate the qualities, skills and experience required.

You will also be asked to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation on a topic that will be provided in advance of the interview. The format of the presentation is your choice. You may use PowerPoint slides or other visual aids, but these are not required.

The presentation topic will be provided in advance to allow sufficient time for preparation.

Interviews will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams. Information on how to join will be sent before your interview. If you do not have Microsoft Teams installed on your computer, you can join through your web browser without installing the application.

The recruitment panel will consider each applicant carefully, and the reasons for decisions will be noted. Records will be kept in line with the Personal Information Charter and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Reasonable adjustments

If you require reasonable adjustments for the interview, please let us know in the monitoring form so that appropriate arrangements can be considered and discussed with you. We may contact you to discuss your requirements further.

Examples may include adjustments to the interview format, presentation arrangements, communication support, or additional requirements related to a disability or health condition.

8.3 Selection and assessment

In assessing an applicant’s suitability for the vacancy applied for, the panel will consider the overall strength of evidence provided, including:

• relevance of expertise and experience
• strength of evidence in addressing the selection criteria
• quality of examples provided

Lay member applications will be assessed in a way that reflects the different nature of the role and the value of a lay perspective.

8.4 How applications are assessed  

The recruitment panel will use the sift scoring below to assess an applicant’s suitability for the vacancy applied for.

Score	What it means	Sift outcome
A: fully meets criteria	Strong and clear written evidence against all selection criteria, including a strong match to the lead criterion	Invite to interview
B: meets lead criterion; further assessment needed	Meets lead criterion but evidence on one or more of the selection criteria is partial, thin or unclear and can reasonably be assessed at interview	Invite to interview
C: does not meet criteria	Does not evidence the lead criterion or does not provide sufficient evidence against two or more of the selection criteria	Not shortlisted

8.5 Appointment decisions and outcomes

The recruitment panel will include relevant committee members and an independent panel member. For chair and Science Council roles, the panel will be chaired by the FSA’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA).

Following the interviews, the panel will consider all applicants against the selection criteria and make recommendations for appointment based on the evidence provided throughout the recruitment process.

We will notify all interviewed applicants of the outcome of their application. Feedback may be provided to interviewed applicants where feasible.

Applicants selected for appointment will receive a formal invitation to join the committee.

Successful applicants will be asked to confirm acceptance of the appointment in writing.

Appointment will be conditional on satisfactory completion of relevant checks and declarations.

As part of this recruitment exercise, we may create a reserve list of appointable candidates. Applicants placed on the reserve list will have demonstrated the expertise, skills, knowledge and experience required for the role but may not be offered an appointment immediately. The reserve list will remain valid for up to 12 months from the date appointments are confirmed and may be used to fill future vacancies for Science Council and SAC positions, including associate member, full member, lay member and chair roles, should suitable opportunities arise during that period. Being placed on a reserve list does not guarantee an appointment, but it provides an opportunity for candidates to be considered for future vacancies without needing to reapply.

9. Role-specific criteria

Successful applicants will normally demonstrate:

• expertise relevant to the vacancy
• sound judgement and analytical thinking
• ability to contribute to complex discussions
• effective communication skills
• collaborative working

Detailed selection criteria for each role are set out below.

9.1 Chair  

1. Expertise and professional standing - lead criterion

A recognised authority in a scientific, technical or regulatory field directly relevant to the committee, with a strong record of achievement at national or international level. This might be evidenced by senior or expert roles, a significant body of published or applied work, peer or sector recognition, and well-established professional networks that can be drawn on to inform the committee’s work. 

2. Scientific leadership and judgement   

Demonstrable leadership of scientific, technical or expert groups, with the sound judgement needed to steer discussion in complex or uncertain situations. A strong track record of assessing, interpreting and drawing reliable conclusions from scientific or technical data, including weighing conflicting evidence and reaching balanced, defensible positions. 

3. Formulating and delivering advice to decision-makers  

Experience of shaping clear, balanced, evidence-based advice and presenting it to senior decision-makers, a board or equivalent. The ability to distil complex, multi-disciplinary discussion into authoritative recommendations that decision-makers, including the FSA Board, can understand and act on. 

4. Communication and awareness of relevant issues  

Well-developed communication skills, with the ability to convey complex and sometimes contentious issues clearly and credibly to both expert and non-expert audiences, including the public and media where required. An informed awareness of the food safety, scientific or regulatory issues relevant to the committee’s remit.  

9.2 Full/associate member  

1. Expert knowledge and experience - lead criterion 

Demonstrable expert knowledge and experience in one or more of the required expertise areas for the committee(s) applied for, evidenced by a good record of achievement at national or international level, such as research, publications, applied or professional practice, or specialist roles, supported by good professional networks in the field. 

2. Multi-disciplinary advisory experience  

Experience of contributing to multi-disciplinary groups considering complex scientific or technical questions, evidenced by active participation in committees, working groups, panels or equivalent forums where expert input shaped collective conclusions or advice. 

3. Analytical skills and independent judgement  

Strong analytical and judgement skills, with demonstrable ability to integrate and interpret complex information, think independently and form evidence-based conclusions together with a willingness to offer constructive challenge and to be open to challenge from others. 

4. Collaboration and communication  

Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and a collaborative working style, with the ability to engage effectively with fellow experts and to communicate complex information clearly to non-expert audiences. 

9.3 Science Council full/associate member  

1. Expert knowledge and experience - lead criterion

Demonstrable expert knowledge and experience in one or more of the required expertise areas for the committee(s) applied for, evidenced by a good record of achievement at national or international level, such as research, publications, applied or professional practice, or specialist roles, supported by good professional networks in the field. 

2. Multi-disciplinary advisory experience

Experience of contributing to multi-disciplinary groups considering complex scientific or technical questions, evidenced by active participation in committees, working groups, panels or equivalent forums where expert input shaped collective conclusions or advice. 

3. Analytical skills and independent judgement  

Strong analytical and judgement skills, with demonstrable ability to integrate and interpret complex information, think independently and form evidence-based conclusions together with a willingness to offer constructive challenge and to be open to challenge from others. 

4. Collaboration and communication  

Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and a collaborative working style, with the ability to engage effectively with fellow experts and to communicate complex information clearly to non-expert audiences. 

5. Breadth of expertise and networks  

A breadth of expertise and networks spanning multiple disciplines relevant to the FSA, evidenced by experience of working across or connecting different scientific, technical or professional fields, rather than a single specialism. 

6. Consumer and citizen perspective  

An informed perspective on the interests of consumers and citizens, with experience of how these interests can be understood, represented and reflected in scientific or strategic advice. 

9.4 Lay member  

1. Understanding of and interest in the committee’s work - lead criterion

A genuine understanding of, and interest in, the work of the SAC applied for, substantiated by relevant knowledge, networks and experience (which may be at national or international level) that equip you to engage confidently with the committee’s subject matter. 

2. Contributing a lay and public perspective  

Experience of contributing to multi-disciplinary groups or decision-making from a lay or non-specialist standpoint, bringing the perspective of the public or consumers to discussions of complex scientific or technical questions. 

3. Analytical skills and independent judgement  

Strong analytical and judgement skills, with demonstrable ability to integrate and interpret complex information, think independently, and ask constructive, probing questions together with a willingness to offer challenge and to be open to challenge from others. 

4. Communication and collaboration  

Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and a collaborative style, with the ability to engage and communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, including renowned scientists, and to help ensure the committee’s advice is clear and accessible.

10. Checklist before submission

Before you submit your application, please check that you have:

• attached your CV
• attached your supporting statement
• attached your completed DoI form
• attached your completed monitoring form
• identified at least one advertised expertise area
• tailored your supporting statement to the role
• demonstrated how you meet the selection criteria
• included the correct SAC and role in the email subject line (for example, ACNFP full member)

11. Questions and contact details

If you have questions about the vacancies, application process, application guidance or submitting your application, contact SACrecruitment@food.gov.uk.

If you require help with your application, please contact the team before 11 October 2026 where possible to allow sufficient time for a response before the closing date.