Feb 13 2013
CAST Research: additional information
Based on your questions, we compiled additional information on the call for expressions of interest in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre and our legal service. Questions which have been submitted up to now will not be answered individually, as they should be addressed in this additional information. If after reading this additional information published below you still need assistance, we kindly ask you to submit a new query.
1. Definition of profiles
A list of the principal subjects/disciplines relevant to each profile can be consulted here: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/. Please note that this list is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel. It is up to each candidate to decide to which of these profiles his/her expertise belongs.
2. Talent screener
Candidates with more than 5 years’ experience should answer “Yes” to question 2.a. and “No” to question 3.a. Candidates who have answered “Yes” to both questions will have their answer to question 3 neutralised during the selection based on qualifications.
Candidates with less than 5 years’ experience should answer “No” to question 2.a. and “Yes” to questions 3.a.
3. Professional experience/PhD
The rules on the assessment of your professional experience can be consulted here: http://europa.eu/epso/doc/profexp-fortheweb_en.pdf.
As indicated, unpaid PhD’s may be counted as professional experience for a maximum duration of 3 years. PhD’s with remuneration and work contract fall under the general definition of professional experience and are therefore taken into consideration in full.
As stated under point IV.B.b. of the Call for expressions of interest, candidates who have not yet defended their doctoral thesis can apply under the condition that they will have obtained the doctoral diploma at the time they are called for an interview, as mentioned under point IX of the call.
4. Competency test
As stated under point VI of the Call for expressions of interest, the test will consist of a set of scientific questions related to the chosen profile as described under point I of the call. Please also refer to the list of subjects/disciplines per profile: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/. Tests will therefore be different for each of the five profiles and will consist of questions randomly selected among the different subjects/disciplines indicated as being related to the particular profile.
Mar 08, 2013 @ 09:44:30
Is there any possibility now or before Competency test to change my profiles from Natural Sciences to Quantitative Sciences in order to write different test. Due to an error i select wrong profiles.
Kind regards,
Stanislaw
Mar 11, 2013 @ 14:39:52
Dear Stanislaw,
Unfortunately, it is not possible to modify your selection once your application form has been validated.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 28, 2013 @ 18:50:41
Please, can you confirm that I must apply only online via the link provided on the EPSO Website? To obtain a printed application means a succesfull submission? What about the signed online application form and supporting documents? When and how to send them? Thanks in advance
Mar 01, 2013 @ 09:32:09
Hi Rosa,
Yes, candidates can only apply online via the link provided.
You do not need to send any document at this stage. Successful candidates will be requested to submit the supporting documents if they are called for an interview, as indicated in the call under point IX.
Kind regards,
Rosa
Feb 27, 2013 @ 16:54:25
I have just applied and I have some questions:
1. how to know how many applicants applied? That’s in order to understand if they are more than 3600 -right?- so if there will be a selection based on the Talent screener – as far as I understood- or if they are less so I have for sure to start preparing the test…
2. as far as I understood it is not necessary to upload the CV, I did it however since there was a very old version but when it will be necessary? I am asking because I will take part to the re-run of AD as well and the relevant information for the two opportunities are different (mainly for AD you won’t propbably care about international conferences I took part too!)
3. when will we know about the tests subjects? which will be the manner this test will be provided (computer based, assesment center, interviews….)?
Feb 28, 2013 @ 15:15:56
Dear Betta,
We may confirm that approx. 4800 applicants have validated so far their application form regarding this selection.
A pre-selection based on qualifications will therefore take place in March-April. All candidates will be informed in April-May regarding the competency tests, which will not be organized before June 2013. It will be a computer-based competency test (multiple choice test).
You may upload a cv in the ‘CVs’ section of your EPSO Account but it will not be consulted before your name is shortlisted in a reserve list or a database.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 27, 2013 @ 16:25:53
Dear EPSO staff,
some questions.
I read in one of your answer that books (I was co-autor in a book published by WHO) should not be mentioned in the talent screener, but in the motivation section.
1) In which part? Experiences and backgroud or strenght?
2) There is a limit of number of characters?
3) Do we have to repeat in the talent screener the list of the experiences already inserted in the professional experiences section of the application?
Thanks,
best regards,
Franco
Feb 28, 2013 @ 15:19:09
Dear Franco,
You may mention this information in the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section. The available space is indeed limited to 4000 bytes (approx. 4000 characters).
In the ‘Talent screener’ section, please provide a summary of your work experience. (in few lines)
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 27, 2013 @ 14:11:05
Hi,
How about should you mention book chapters published in peer-reviewed academic books?
Thank you,
Marie
Feb 27, 2013 @ 14:19:48
Dear candidate,
The ‘Talent screener’ is asking about peer-reviewed journals, not books.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:02:46
Dear EPSO team,
Could you please tell me where I should mention my ongoing working papers (not published yet) in the application form?
Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Luis
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:16:22
Dear Luis,
You may mention it in the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section of your application form, but it should not be mentioned in the ‘Talent screener’ section, since it was not yet published.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 27, 2013 @ 11:25:54
Dear EPSO Team,
I can’t understand which is the difference between question 2a and question 3a in the Talent screener.
Thanks in advice
g
Feb 27, 2013 @ 11:33:44
Dear Giulia,
If you have more than 5 years of experience in the fields listed in the Call for expression of interest, please answer ‘Yes’ to question 2a, and ‘No’ to question 3a.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 26, 2013 @ 21:24:02
I hold more than 5yrs of prof. experience and a PhD, all in engineering. However, I am wondering what is the specific candidate profile that employers look for, since the description for each of the five available fields is very general. I decided to go for the quantitative sciences (#2), since ‘engineering’ was included as description keyword.
Feb 27, 2013 @ 11:07:26
Hi Kostas,
Your choice is probably the most appropriate, taking into account your own background.
Kind regards,
Rosa
Feb 26, 2013 @ 21:07:44
Dear EPSO,
Talent Screener –
If someone already obtained his/her Ph.D. degree ( Talen Screener Q1) should also answer Q2 with yes?
Thanks
Feb 27, 2013 @ 13:28:04
Dear Rebekah,
The PhD may be counted as professional experience for a MAXIMUM duration of 3 years.
It’s up to the selection panel to decide on the valid duration of your work experience.
Please see : http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 26, 2013 @ 20:29:10
Bonsoir,
Est-il possible de remplir les champs en differentes langues (si ceux-ci sont bien sûr remplis en Francais et anglais)? “my profile” is in french and my talent Screener is in english. En effet, ma thèse est redigée en anglais et pour le “talent screener”, il est plus cohérent pour moi de le rediger en anglais. Merci bien.
Pascal
Feb 27, 2013 @ 11:16:45
Bonjour Pascal,
Nous recommandons vivement de remplir toute la candidature dans la même langue.
Cordialement,
Rosa
Feb 26, 2013 @ 12:41:52
Dear EPSO Team,
Among the fields listed there are some quite general. I’m thinking of Social Sciences, particularly. Do you accept research in Philosophy (esp. moral philosophy) as part of this field?
Thank you.
Best,
Sergi
Feb 26, 2013 @ 17:09:28
Dear Sergi,
Unfortunately, no further information is available to the candidates than the list of the principal subjects/disciplines relevant to each profile available at: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/
Please note that this list is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel. It is up to each candidate to decide to which of these profiles his/her expertise belongs.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 26, 2013 @ 09:23:55
I want to finish my PhD in June-July. Do you think I can apply for this Call and be ready for the interview?
Feb 26, 2013 @ 11:06:26
Dear Maria,
Yes, you can apply. Interviews are not likely to start before the summer break.
Kind regards,
Nathalie
Feb 26, 2013 @ 11:13:50
Dear Maria,
It will be up to the selection panel to decide if your diploma can be accepted for the chosen profile, but we may not confirm now if it will be taken into consideration. Your future PhD could be taken into consideration if the doctoral diploma has been obtained before the interviews (around July 2013).
We remind you that call is mentioning that the diploma and work experience, or the PhD must be in one of the fields listed.
Kind regards,
Rosa
Feb 25, 2013 @ 22:47:56
Hi,
I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in 17.03.2008 and a Master’s degree in 25.04.2008 according to my study certificate. Whether I understood it correctly, the professional experience is counted only AFTER the graduation dates? And it needs to be min. five years?
Would the experience still count since five years of experience after graduation will be accomplished by March/April (depending which study degree is relevant) before any competion will take place? I am also currently a PhD candidate, but I will not finish before July 2013. Many thanks.
Feb 26, 2013 @ 11:19:23
Dear Marie,
I confirm that the professional experience is counted after the graduation and must be minimum 5 years. The professional experience must be in one of the fields listed in the call for expression of interest.
If I understand right, you plan to get your doctoral diploma by July 2013. In this case, it might be taken into acount for your application. Interviews are indeed not planned to start before summer (see point IV.B.b) and point IX of the call).
Kind regards,
Nathalie
Feb 26, 2013 @ 12:35:11
Thank you Nathalie,
So does that mean that all the applicants should have finished their Master’s degree five years before the application deadline so in 2008 to have those five of experience? Since I have completed my Master’s degree in 24.4.2008 does that automatically exclude me?
Or can I be eligeable if I have those 4.8 years of professional work experience by the deadline and at the same time 3 years of PhD work (on-going, not finished, will be finished in one year).
And do the positions of trust count as experience (if they are paid)? Many thanks.
Feb 27, 2013 @ 14:39:25
Dear Marie,
You do not seem to meet the eligibility requirements, but this will be evaluated by the Selection Panel only.
Indeed, 5 years of working experience (after the master) are requested in order to be eligible, but this experience must be in one of the fields listed in the Call as well. Your PhD could not be taken into consideration, since your doctoral diploma must be obtained before the interviews (around July 2013).
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 22:06:05
Dear EPSO team: Nathalie, Marie and Rosa,
I would kindly like to ask two clarifications with regards to the competition:
1. Does working experience after the first university degree (provided it is related to the relevant fields outlined in the competition) qualify for the competition or it has to be linked with the PhD? I have had working experience in relevant topics of the competition before commencing my (paid) PhD, so I would like to know if, to your knowledge, the working experience before the start of the PhD will be accepted.
2. Apart from peer-reviewed journals, are book chapters also considered as an indication of quality research activity? Generally, book chapters are highly regarded, often at the same level of the journal publications. Should they be mentioned in the talent screener or under the motivation and strengths questions? The same concerns apply for someone who is reviewer for academic journals or member of Technical Program Committees (TPC) of international conferences.
Thank you.
Feb 27, 2013 @ 11:00:18
Dear Konstantinos,
Your work experience does not necessary have to be in the same field as the university diploma nor the PhD.
Your work experience or your PhD must indeed be in one of the fields listed in the Call, in order to be eligible.
The ‘Talent screener’ is asking about peer-reviewed journals, not books. It will be up to the Selection Panel to evaluate the relevance of the publication and/or the journal.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 19:11:29
Dear EPSO,
I am a spanish medical doctor . I obtained my degree in 1999 and in 2004 after a long research work I obtained the grade “Grado de Licenciado obtenido mediante Tesina” which is a post graduate title . As this is not a PhD I am wondering , where can I explain in the talent screener tab the academic institution which awarded my “grado de Licenciado” and the name of the supervisor and the main findings of my thesis?
Thanks a lot in advance for your kind reply.
Kind regards
Noemi
Feb 27, 2013 @ 14:34:26
Dear Noemi,
You should not mention this post graduate diploma in the ‘Talent screener’ section, since it is not a doctoral diploma.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 18:55:45
I have a question about “professional experience”.
As researcher I held a number of research fellowships that were paid/sponsored by government or other non-governmental organisations in order to go for some time as fellow to various academic institutions. Hence I was affiliated with those institutions but did not really have a “working contract” as one would expect in the private sector. Can I still take this into account under my professional experience?
Feb 26, 2013 @ 10:24:05
Dear Heidi,
You can list these research fellowships under the professional experience. But it’s up to the selection panel to appreciate your work experience.
Kind regards,
Rosa
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:34:30
Hello,
Is it necessary that the professional experience is in the field of the diploma obtained and the profile selected?
For ex., I studied Economics but gained experience in agricultural science. Can I apply for Profile 3: Human and Social Sciences? Or for Profile 4: Agricultural, Environmental and Earth Sciences?
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:43:38
Dear Laura,
The diploma and work experience could be in different fields.
Since the Call is clearly mentioning that your work experience or your PhD must be in one of the fields listed, I would advise you to select the Profile based on the field of your work experience or PhD.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 12:38:14
Dear EPSO TEAM,
I have a question regarding the education part of the application. I have yet to defend my PhD dissertation, but I have already started working since October 2012. I am therefore finishing my PhD while working full time. My question is the following: should I make an entry for my PhD studies even though they are not yet completed? If so, what can I put under the part “Country in which diploma was issued”, since it was not issued yet? On a related note, I also had a paid contract for teaching during my PhD studies, so I intend to classify this under professional experience as well. Should I therefore put my Phd studies under both education and professional experience?
Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Luis
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:36:52
Dear Luis,
You may mention your PhD under both Education and Professional experience. The PhD may be counted as professional experience for a MAXIMUM duration of 3 years.
It’s up to the selection panel to decide on the valid duration of your work experience.
You may mention that you haven’t yet obtained this diploma and select the country where it will be obtained.
Please see : http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 09:56:29
Dear EPSO team,
I will defend my PhD thesis on March 4th. How am I supposed to answer to question 1a in the “Talent Screener” section?
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:48:14
Dear Nicolo,
You should not mention your PhD in the Talent screener if it is not yet obtained.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 00:13:22
Dear EPSO team,
I would like to ask you if candidates, who have not fulfilled yet their military obligations imposed by the national laws, are able apply under the condition that they will have fullfiled them at the time they are called for an interview, as it applies to those not having a doctoral diploma yet.
Best Regards,
Spyros
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:06:25
Dear Spyros,
This admission criteria must be fulfilled before the closure of deadline for application.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 24, 2013 @ 21:42:03
Dear team,
I’d like to have some guidance about the talent screener section. I’m submitting my PhD this March. Does it count already as professional experience or diploma? Then I’ve also 3 years of professional experience in relevant fields.
Thanks!
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:10:21
Dear Alessandro,
You should not mention your PhD in the Talent screener if it is not yet obtained.
You may mention it under the section ‘My Profile’ of your application form.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 24, 2013 @ 21:06:36
Could you tell me, please, whether I have to print my application form after validation and send it to EPSO by post as a paper with handwritten signature on? If yes, should it be before or after the first results?
Thank you.
Andra
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:11:41
Hi Andra,
No, you do not have to send us your signed application form once validated.
Candidates will have to submit the doctoral diploma (as mentioned under point IV.B.b), and all documents attesting their academic and professional experience if they are successful and are called by the institutions for an interview.
Kind regards,
Rsa
Feb 25, 2013 @ 17:47:53
Thank you.
Feb 24, 2013 @ 20:57:05
I am interested in the opportunities provided by the EU- Careers. I am Austrian but my first language is English (mother tongue) and German is a language. Is it a problem to apply as an Austrian? I have a law degree (LL.M) and starting a Ph.d programm in fall-semester, so it is a problem as to which department to apply to from given list. Please any further useful information.
Victor.
Feb 25, 2013 @ 17:04:01
Dear Victor,
You may of course apply as Austrian citizen. (like all EU citizens)
Please note that Law is not one of the subjects listed at http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/
It will be up to the selection panel to decide if your diploma can be accepted for the chosen profile, but we may not confirm yet if it will be taken into consideration.
Since the Call is clearly mentioning that your work experience or your PhD must be in one of the fields listed, I would advise you to select the Profile based on the field of your work experience or your PhD.
Your future PhD could be taken into consideration if your doctoral diploma will be obtained before the interviews. (around July 2013)
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 24, 2013 @ 20:27:56
Dear EPSO TEAM,
I am an enviornmental engineering and I have a PhD in Geophysics, Can I apply for the Agricultural, Environmental and Earth Sciences profile?
Regards,
Silvia
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:46:13
Dear Silvia,
Since the Call is clearly mentioning that your work experience or your PhD must be in one of the fields listed, I would advise you to select the Profile based on the field of your PhD.
Unfortunately, no further information is available to the candidates than the list of the principal subjects/disciplines relevant to each profile available at: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/
Please note that this list is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel. It is up to each candidate to decide to which of these profiles his/her expertise belongs.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 24, 2013 @ 20:22:19
Hi,
I obtained my Ph.D. degree in the United States. How should I report it in the educational profile?
Feb 26, 2013 @ 16:15:50
Dear candidate,
You may select ‘Other’ in the drop-down menu.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 24, 2013 @ 16:39:04
Dear Nathalie,
I would like to apply for the call and I meet the requirements listed on ELIGIBILITY criteria. However, I have obtained all my degrees in a country which is not part of the EU. Quoting from the CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: “In instances where diplomas are obtained from a non-EU Member State, the candidate may be required to provide the relevant document of comparability by a recognised authority”. My question is this document of comparability should be held before applying.
Regards
Feb 26, 2013 @ 08:54:32
Dear Sabrina,
You will be requested to submit the supporting documents once you are called for an interview (see chapter IX of the call).
Kind regards,
Nathalie
Feb 24, 2013 @ 16:15:45
Dear EPSO team,
my question is about the publications I have written, where should I enter this information?
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Marisa
Feb 26, 2013 @ 16:16:52
Dear Marisa,
You may mention them in the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section, and in the ‘Talent screener’ section.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 24, 2013 @ 10:58:27
Dear Nathalie,
Dear Marie,
Dear Rosa,
My first question refers to the computer-test competency test. I would be very interested in seeing some sample questions for this test, and especially for the human & social sciences profile, more exactly political sciences & sociology. I have noticed that sample questions for AD tests do exist, yet I couldn’t find anywhere information on the sample questions for CAST research.
And the second and last question, the information on the website read that “test consists in a set of scientific questions related to the chosen profile”. Considering this, I apply for this profile with a scientific background on political sciences & sociology, therefore I shall have my knowledge tested only for these two domains or also for the other two mentioned: economics and psychology? I am asking for since I have never studied at a scientific level neither economics nor psychology answering to scientific questions concerning these two last mentioned sub-profiles could be of a certain difficulty.
Thank you,
Maia
Feb 26, 2013 @ 16:45:48
Dear Maia,
There is unfortunately at present no example available to the candidates.
We may confirm that the test will consist of questions randomly selected among the different subjects/disciplines indicated as being related to the particular profile.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 23, 2013 @ 19:53:23
Dear EPSO team,
I have a question for you.
I am a medical doctor, with a specialization in medical oncology. To obtain this specialization, I followed 4 years of training which ended with the discussion of a thesis and the obtainement of a diploma. Can this be considered as a doctoral diploma? Or the doctoral diploma is only the one obtained with a PhD program?
Thanks a lot in advance,
Debora
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:12:39
Dear Debora,
This will be evaluated by the Selection Panel. Each Panel includes experts in the relevant field who will have a broad appreciation of the various qualifications in that field.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 23, 2013 @ 13:39:25
Dear EPSO team,
I would like to know if I need to bring a C1 or B2 certification for my lenguage 1 and 2? I fulfill the lenguage levels but I don’t have any certification for my birth lenguage. Is that a problem?
I also have another question: I am bilingual in spanish and french and I have a high level in english. Could I choose spanish as first lenguage and french as second lenguage?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Best regards,
Laetitia
Feb 26, 2013 @ 16:26:12
Dear Laetitia,
You will not be requested to provide any supporting document regarding your level of knowledge of the languages mentioned in your application form.
Yes, you may select Spanish as first language, and French as second.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 23, 2013 @ 11:42:19
Dear EPSO staff,
an internship at the United Nation payed by a European Union Leonardo grant can be listed among professional experiences?
thanks
Franco
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:07:00
Dear Franco,
It can be taken into consideration only if you were paid during this internship. Please refer to rules on assemment of professional experience for further information http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/
Regards,
Rosa
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:54:32
Dear EPSO
I have a couple of practical questions:
- may you clarify the criteria for the first-round selection (you wrote somewhere above that the panel will read the talent screener afterwards…did I misunderstand?)
- concerning pubblications: you wrote above that the panel is unlikely to take into account publications forthcoming. Does it imply that is better not mentionning them or just that they might not be considered?
- as the test: will there be a verbal/numeric/abstract reasoning test followed by other written tests? as for the reasoning test is it likely to be similar to the AD Epso test?
-concerning the motivation-stenghts how to fill the part “interest for apply”which asks ” why this particular profile interests you” considering that,as underlined, we are applying without knowing exactly for what profile we will be called if selected.
-for the work experience session: how to present periods of internship at relevant international institutions (UN) while conducting research for the PhD and remunerated by other funds (my PhD instutions provide an additional scholarship in order to do the internship) but with a separate contract.
kind regards
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:50:40
Dear Betta,
If the total number of eligible candidates will be higher than 3600 for the 5 profiles together, a pre-selection based on qualifications will take place. (As an indication, there are currently approx. 2300 applicants)
This pre-selection based on qualifications will be made on the basis of the ‘Talent screener’ section of the application forms.
You may mention the forthcoming publications in the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section of your application form, but they will most likely not be taken into consideration by the Selection Panel if you mention them in the ‘Talent screener’ section.
There will be no reasoning tests. Only the competency test mentioned in the Call will be organized.
You may consult the JRC website. Please see for example its structure : http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index.cfm?id=1440
You may mention those experiences in two different entries, but considering that it covers the same period of time, you may type in the box ‘Your value’ (next to the box ‘computer value’) the real time allocated.
(as if a part-time job)
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 22, 2013 @ 14:08:19
Dear EPSO team,
during my PhD I got a 4 months-long internship payed by an external mobility plan. Are those 4 months countable as separated experience or they should be included in the 3 years PhD?
Thank you in advance!
Kind Regards,
Alberto
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:35:19
Dear Alberto,
This will be evaluated by the Selection Panel. Please note that your PhD itself (even if it was not paid) could be taken into consideration as work experience (up to 3 years) if you obtained the Doctoral diploma.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 09:45:41
Dear EPSO team,
Is there any way to see the number of people that have applied so far for this job?
Best regards,
Georgios
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:54:57
Dear Georgios,
This information will be available on these pages after the closure of deadline for application.
As an indication, there are approx. 2300 applicants so far. (all profiles)
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 12:16:01
I worked at the JRC for 3 years as contract agent.
I would like to know if I am entitled to participate in this call, I could not find any information on the eligibility requirements.
Best,
Ilaria
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:22:04
Dear Ilaria,
This is a general rule that applies to all EU institutions : contract agents may not work more than 3 years in the same institution.
This rule could change in the coming years, but for the moment this is the situation : You could be eligible (and your name shortisted in this database), but you could not be recruited by the JRC.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 22, 2013 @ 12:12:36
Would a PhD in International Relations fall under the category of Political Science for this call?
Thanks,
Francesco
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:28:04
Dear Francesco,
Unfortunately, no further information is available to the candidates than the list of the principal subjects/disciplines relevant to each profile available at: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/
Please note that this list is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel.
It is up to each candidate to decide to which of these profiles his/her expertise belongs.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 22, 2013 @ 11:23:42
I would like to ask you about a clarification concerning the professional experience. I do have more than 5 years of experience but part of it (4 years) are under a civil contract during my Bachelor studies. Afterwards, when I graduated from my Master, I have 3 years. Can I calculate all 7 years or there is a rule that professional experience is only after graduation?
Thank you for your answer,
Sirma
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:32:55
Dear Sirma,
Unfortunately, your work experience before you obtained the diploma (giving access to this selection) will not be taken into consideration.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 22, 2013 @ 10:35:37
Dear EPSO team,
I see there is not an example of the competency test available to the candidates.
However, you would understand that a general profile, as those proposed, have a range of possible random subjects and topics almost endless. Will you provide a specific list of subject/topics for each profile?
Best regards,
Roberta
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:02:23
Dear Roberta,
The competency test will indeed consist of questions randomly selected among the different subjects/disciplines indicated as being related to the particular profile. No competency test is unfortunately available for candidates.
Best regards,
Rosa
Feb 22, 2013 @ 09:57:45
Dear EPSO,
About the professional profile:
I worked in the same position for 4 months in total but divided in 2 periods of 2 months with a 3 months gap between them and I didn’t do any other work during this 3 months.
Can I just introduce 4 months as “your values” although “computed values” count 7 months?
How shall I proceed? I don’t want to repeat exactly the same (name of employer, nature of duties etc) twice.
Thank you so much for your help!
JM
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:20:00
Dear Jose M.,
We recommend you introduce 2 different periods for this job, as there is a gap of 3 months in between with no professional experience. It will be easier to sum up the computed values for the professional experience. You can copy/paste the information in a document to be added for the second time.
Kind regards,
Rosa
Feb 22, 2013 @ 08:29:52
Dear EPSO team,
As I was a part-time studend and completed my studies parallel to employment, I have serveral years of (relevant) professional experience before my graduation from university. Does that count or just my post-degree experience?
Thank your for your reply!
Nina
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:31:24
Dear Nina,
Unfortunately, your work experience before you obtained the diploma (giving access to this selection) will not be taken into consideration.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 21, 2013 @ 18:10:48
Is it possible to duplicate the information used in “My Profile” and “Talent screener”, some questions about education and experience for these both tabs sound exactly the same for me. Thank you!
Feb 22, 2013 @ 09:32:50
I will try to be more specific. For example, could you please explain the difference between “nature of duties” under My Profile/Professional Experience and ‘specific roles” in point 2b under Talent Screener? Thank you!
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:41:25
Dear Zuzanna,
You have more available space under the section ‘My Profile/Professional Experience/Nature of duties’, so I would advise you to explain your duties more in details under that section, and a summary under the ‘Talent screener’ section.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 22, 2013 @ 15:57:54
Dear Zuzannna,
Yes indeed. The content may be similar.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 21, 2013 @ 16:46:03
Dear Marie,
i took an entepreneur/business evening school during my PhD studies for 3months. Is this a relevant education for this call? In my case for Profile 1.
Many thanks in advance
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:54:29
Dear Michael,
It is for the selection panel to evaluate whether the diplomas, academic background and professional experience are relevant to the field.
With kind regards,
Rosa
Feb 21, 2013 @ 13:05:35
Dear EPSO TEAM.
I have the First Certificate in English, so English Language is my second Language choice. Could I enter French Language if I have learnt it for three years at High School and obtained an Erasmus Grant in Paris? (I cannot certify that this correspond to a B2 level as I do not have any other official qualification for the French Language)
On the other hand, Could be the Erasmus Grant be introduce in the Education and Training field or any other application field?
Best Regards,
Mar.
Feb 26, 2013 @ 15:38:16
Dear candidate,
There is a self-assessment grid on the EUROPASS website to help you evaluate your language skills.
Go to http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/europass/home/hornav/Downloads/CEF/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid.csp
Please see also page 9 : http://europa.eu/epso/doc/epso_brochure_en.pdf
The Erasmus Grant may be mentioned in the ‘Education and Training’ section, and/or in the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 21, 2013 @ 03:55:46
I am working since a couple of days on the CV at my EPSO account. It seems that the is a problem on the page (Talent screener). After typing in my comments and my saving, it appears: “The web site you are accessing has experienced an unexpected error.
Please contact the website administrator.”
I used to think that I am computer literate and this never happened before, so kindly assist me, since the deadline is approaching
Feb 21, 2013 @ 14:42:11
Dear Andreas,
The text that you are trying to insert is most likely too long? We may advise you to shorten the text and check if this part may be saved already.
The available space is indeed limited.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 24, 2013 @ 10:46:13
Dear Marie,
The same happened to me. I double-checked and I do not have more than 4000 characters. Could you help with this? I thought it might be that I have greek letters in the text, but even removing them, it is not working
Feb 25, 2013 @ 17:15:18
Dear Nad,
You may try to save half of the text for example, to see if you are able to do so. Then we advise you to shorten the text, since special characters may reduce the available space to less than 4000 characters.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 25, 2013 @ 17:21:32
It happenned to me as well, but Marie is right, it has to do with the amount of characters. If fact, if it says less than 4000 in your word file, it does not mean that it will fit in the form. It seems that the form allows for a bit less than the stated 4000 characters (+ they count also spaces!), so you are probably just above the maximum…
Feb 21, 2013 @ 01:36:07
Dear EPSO team,
my first language is Croatian and the second is English. As Croatian will become an official language of the EU in four months, it was available to select as one of the first languages in the competition EPSO/AD/244/12.
But in this competition it is not available as the first language. What should I select? I suppose that all the testing will be done in second language, which in my case is English, but then what should I indicate as first?
Could you just add Croatian in the selection of first languages, like in other competitions, as it will very soon (at the time of testing) become one of the official EU languages?
Thank you in advance for your time and response,
Vedran
Feb 21, 2013 @ 12:12:44
Dear Vedran,
As a Croatian citizen, you may apply for this selection, but the language combination requested from candidates is mentioned in the Call (under point IV.C)
You may not select Croatian language as ‘Language 1′.
The competency tests will be in your ‘Language 2′. The level of knowledge of your ‘Language 1′ will be tested during the interviews.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 21, 2013 @ 00:51:24
I realized right now that is clearly impossible to insert the date of the next April. How can I manage to solve it out? Should I put the “today date”?
Thank you very much in advance
Best Regards
Lorenzo P.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 11:43:06
Dear Lorenzo,
As the deadline for applications is 1 March 2013, the system will not accept any date beyond. You might decide to insert 1/3/2013, as the latest possible date.
Regards,
Rosa
Feb 20, 2013 @ 17:57:15
Dear EPSO,
I have an engineering master degree: 5 years of university.
Normally in Italian we call it: laurea quinquennale or simply Laurea, which is different from Diploma di laurea because Diploma is only 3 years.
In the list of: “Title of qualification awarded” I cannot find a similar definition. What should I answer? Master I livello, Master II livello or whatelse?
Regards,
Raffaella
Feb 21, 2013 @ 12:23:52
Dear Raffaella,
To help you selecting the appropriate title of the qualification awarded, you will find examples of qualifications/diplomas listed per country here: http://europa.eu/epso/doc/diplomes-fortheweb_en.pdf
Regards,
Rosa
Feb 20, 2013 @ 16:48:24
Dear EPSO Team,
in the CALL, under INTERVIEWS POTENTIAL FOR RECRUITMENT, it’s reported that in a potential interview will tested the knowledge of primary language (“Language 1 will be tested during the interview”). It’s right? Not the second language?
Thank you for the clarification and best regards.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 15:12:10
Dear candidate,
Yes, this is correct. The level of knowledge of your second language could also be evaluated during the interviews, this is not excluded.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 20, 2013 @ 15:53:19
Dear Marie,
i have 2 questions regarding the application.
1. My mother tongue is German and I denoted English as my second language. I would like to fill my application in English. Should I preferable fill it in German or English?
2. Concerning the summary of the PhD thesis. Should it be written for a scientific audience or for a broader audience?
Many thanks in advance.
lg Michael
Feb 20, 2013 @ 15:59:02
Dear Michael,
You may fill in the application form in either French/English/German.
You may consider a scientific audience, since your application form will be consulted at a later stage by the Recruitment services at JRC Headquarters and Research institutions.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 26, 2013 @ 10:02:28
Hi,
just going a bit more in depth on the language issue of the application. I guess there should not be a difference whether the application form is filled in ENG/FR/GER, but for a post selection procedure maybe english keywords are used to search for candidates? Would it be advisable or allowed to additionally add keywords in english to an application in FR or GER?
Thanks, Michael
Feb 26, 2013 @ 11:02:29
Dear Michael,
The application form is structures in a way that helps recruiting institutions to find candidates when looking for candidates in the database. Once in te databse of successful candidates, you should also upload your CV where you can add more information. You might upload a bilingual CV.
Kind regards,
Nathalie
Feb 20, 2013 @ 12:17:56
Dear EPSO team,
I have a question about the scientific articles. What shall be mentioned. Only the title, authors and the journal’s name (year volume, pages) or you also need the ISSN of the journal and the DOI of the published article?
thank you in advance
Yiannis
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:13:50
Dear Yiannis,
We may advise to mention all relevant information. Your application form will also be consulted by the Recruitment service if you are successful in this selection, so this is valuable information.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 20, 2013 @ 11:40:30
Dear Epso Team,
I do not understand what does the field “Level in national classification” stands for. It is located in Education and Training Tab.
I have one more question. Is profile 4 more appropriate for someone you wants to work for the Institute for Environment and Sustainability of JRC?
Thank you in advance,
Amalia
Feb 20, 2013 @ 16:02:29
Dear Amalia,
You may answer for example ‘University studies of three years’.
We may not advise you on which profile is more suitable in which institution.
The job offers will be made according to your actual profile, not the field you have chosen in the selection process.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:52:00
Dear EPSO team,
In the call for expressions of interest among the eligibility requirements you read: diploma+ at least 5 years professional experience. In the blog (at additional information, 2. talent screener) you read: “Candidates with less than 5 years’ experience should answer “No” to question 2.a. and “Yes” to questions 3.a.” Isn’t it a bit contradictory? I mean can I apply if I have a university degree (of education of 5 years) and 3 years of professional experience? Because according to the call for expressions of interest I think the answer is no, while according to additional info it can be interpreted as if I could apply…
Thanks, and kind regards,
Virág
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:58:00
Dear Virág,
Following the admission criterias mentioned under point IV.B of the Call, candidates may apply if they have less than 5 years of professional experience but a Doctoral diploma.
Please see : http://europa.eu/epso/doc/call-cast-jrc-s5-2013_en.pdf
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 20, 2013 @ 09:02:19
Dear EPSO team,
could you, please, elaborate on “Profile 5: Health Sciences” and more accurately define the subject “Medical Sciences”? What areas of knowledge does this include? Under which profile would you include the fields of Microbiology, Molecular Biology or Genetics?
Regards,
Santiago
Feb 20, 2013 @ 16:17:54
Dear candidate,
Unfortunately, no further information is available to the candidates than the list of the principal subjects/disciplines relevant to each profile available at: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/
Please note that this list is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel. It is up to each candidate to decide to which of these profiles his/her expertise belongs.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 20, 2013 @ 00:36:02
Dear EPSO TEAM,
I´ve got a PhD. Should I include papers presented at conferences, seminars and summer courses in “Education and Training” section? Should I include volunteering experience (with formation sessions) in “Education and Training” or in “Work Experience”?
Kind regards,
María
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:24:40
Dear Maria,
We would advise you to mention this in the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section of your application form.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:43:12
Dear Marie,
I have already applied for the position: “2012-SVQ-J-30-000-1061 JRC online application for grantholder positions under national law contracts. External staff recruitment application”.
I would like apply for the CAST Research position profile 2. Is it possible or are there any incompatibility?
Best Regards
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:50:20
Dear candidate,
There are no restrictions for you to apply. (should there be a restriction, it would be mentioned in the Call for expression of interest)
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:38:32
Dear EPSO team,
I have two questions:
1) I had my doctoral diploma in a department related with Environmental science but my Ph.D. Thesis is related with chemistry. This can be also seen by my research articles that I have published in peer-reviewed journals in the field of chemistry. Will I be considered as a candidate in the field of Natural Science or not?
2) In the Talent Screener Question 4b the space of 4000 characters is not enough to include everything. What shall we include in the publication list? I have mentioned the authors, the title, the journal (year, volume, pages) of the article.
Thank you in advance
Yiannis
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:59:49
Dear Yiannis,
Following the Call for expression of interest, please make sure that at least the professional experience (admission criteria IV.B.a) or the Doctoral diploma (admission criteria IV.B.b) has been obtained in one of the fields listed.
Please see also the additional information provided at http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/
The available space in the Talent screener is indeed limited. We could advise you to mention the main elements and refer to another section of your application form. (for example the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section)
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 14:21:01
Dear EPSO Team,
In the EoI I read that I will be “asked to provide the relevant supporting documents to prove the declarations made in the registration form”. Does this refer to the main language choice, too?
I consider including the language of the country I live in now as my main language. Both my mother tongue and the language of the country I am citizen of are official languages of the EU. However, I have no official document to certify I have command of the language of the country I am citizen of. I do have publications in this language, though.
Therefore, is it advisable to proceed as intended, or I should better include my mother tongue as my main language?
Thank you in advance,
kind regards,
Galia
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:32:58
Dear Galia,
It will not be requested from candidates to provide supporting documents regarding their level of knowledge of the languages mentioned in their application form.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 14:20:11
Dear EU careers team,
I validated my application yesterday, but I noticed in the printer-friendly version in the last page of the application process a small note on the bottom that we should send also handwritten signature. Does this mean we need to print out the form, sign it and send it somewhere (where?)? Or is applying online sufficient?
Best,
ES
Feb 19, 2013 @ 15:39:13
Dear candidate,
The online application is sufficient at this stage of the procedure.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 12:12:46
Dear EPSO team,
I realised that my identity card, the number of which I inserted in the application for the calls, will expire at the end of March. I have to renew it immediately or I can wait the natural maturity and insert in a second step the new number of my identity card?
Best regards
Lucia
Feb 19, 2013 @ 15:47:08
Dear Lucia,
This will not be a problem at the test centre. Unfortunately, the information provided in the application form may no longer be modified.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 11:45:17
Dear EPSO TEAM,
I would like to thank you for providing us with additional information. Yet I have two more questions:
1) I did my military service for 9 months in Greece, where this is obligatory according to the Greek Law. Should I mention it in the “Professional Experience” section?
2) I did a subsidied training course in a Vocational Training Center in Greece. Is it considered as professional experience?
Best regards,
Georgios
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:25:56
Dear candidate,
You may mention those informations in the sections ‘My Profile’ or ‘Motivation and Strengths’ of your application form.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 11:34:41
Dear Nathalie:
After validating the application, in the Form states:
For information about when you have to:
- print out,
- sign (your signature must be handwritten),
- attach supporting documents and
- submit
a copy of your application form please refer to the Notice of competition, point 2 of the “How to Apply” section, or to the Call for expression of interest.
But I can´t find this information. How should I do it? When is the deadline for send the signature and which papers have to be sent with it?
Thanks for any help.
Andrea
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:09:04
Dear Andrea,
Following the Call for expression of interest, the online application is sufficient at this stage of the procedure.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 19:43:44
Dear EPSO team,
I have a question concerning the information in the talent screener. I will only defend my PhD within the next year. Should I still indicate that I do have a doctoral diploma and then explain in the text field for additional information, or is the answer just ‘no’?
Thanks!
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:33:08
Dear Tanja,
If you haven’t yet defended your PhD, it should not be taken into consideration in the ‘Talent screener’ section of your application form.
You may mention it in the section ‘My Profile’ considering the following : http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 18:40:54
Dear EU Careers team,
Under which category do social scientist researchers fall in the professional experience section? Under education/training or under science/environmental? I worked as a researcher for a number of years in two research organisations, but I didn’t do any teaching there.
Best,
ES
Feb 26, 2013 @ 12:08:59
Dear Emmanuel,
I would then advise you to select ‘science/environmental’, but there is no wrong answer.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 17:12:02
Hi
I have a PhD and 18 months’ work experience in fields relevant to the call.
In the Talent Screener section, should I say Yes to 1a, No to 2a, and Yes to 3a (due to the work experience)? Or does a Yes to 1a override the others?
Thanks
Andy
Feb 19, 2013 @ 17:02:07
Dear candidate,
Candidates with more than 5 years’ experience should answer “Yes” to question 2.a. and “No” to question 3.a. Candidates who have answered “Yes” to both questions will have their answer to question 3 neutralised during the selection based on qualifications. Candidates with less than 5 years’ experience should answer “No” to question 2.a. and “Yes” to questions 3.a.
Best regards;
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 19, 2013 @ 18:28:14
Hello Marie,
Thanks you for yor reply – so just to clarify, in my case (PhD + less than 5 years’ relevant work experience) it’s a Yes to 1a, No to 2a and Yes to 3a?
Thanks
Andy
Feb 21, 2013 @ 16:59:45
Dear Andy,
Please note that your PhD could be taken into consideration as work experience up to 3 years. Please see : http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/
If your PhD + 18 months of work experience correspond to less than 5 years of experience, then you should indeed most likely answer ‘yes’ to 1a, ‘No’ to 2a and ‘Yes’ to 3a.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 17:01:43
Hello,
I do not meet the required work-experience – i have about 3 years of paid working experience at most and a Mag.rer.nat. (equals M.Sc.) .
I was advised to apply anyway for the EPSO-CAST for researchers from the forwarding organization.
Does exclusion of people not meeting the basic criteria only occur, if there are more candidates than positions?!
With best regards,
Angelika
Feb 26, 2013 @ 12:11:29
Dear Angelika,
No, the Selection Panel will evaluate if each candidate actually meets all admission criterias mentioned in the Call for expression of interest.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 16:51:55
Dear EPSO Team,
I have a question related to Profile 3: Is Educational Science excluded? Thank you in advance
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:36:59
Dear candidate,
Please note that the list provided in the additional information on profiles at http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/ is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 15:43:09
Dear EPSO team,
I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I’m having problems to fill in the application for the CAST Research. When I try to save the information, the system continues to log me off from my EPSO account so it has been actually imposible to fill anything in in the last 3 days. I tried to contact EPSO helpdesk, but nobody has answered for the moment.
Kind regards,
Carmen
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:40:03
Dear Carmen,
The text that your are trying to insert is most likely loo long? The available space is indeed limited.
We may advise you to shorten the text and try to save this part already.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 13:33:22
Can a Master’s degree be counted under professional experience?
Best,
L
Feb 19, 2013 @ 17:30:35
Dear Laura,
Master’s degree is not considered as work experience.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 13:01:28
In your opinion, which profile is best suited for the IES Institute ?
Regards, Chris
Feb 20, 2013 @ 11:22:25
Dear Chris,
The Institute for Environment and Sustainability is made up of eight Scientific Units. Please see : http://ies.jrc.ec.europa.eu/the-institute/units.html
Please note that the job offers will be made according to the actual profile of the candidate, not the field he has chosen in the selection process.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 12:51:12
Dear EPSO team,
I am currently taking part in the competition EPSO/AD/244/12, but would like to apply for the contract agent as well (EPSO/CAST/S/5/2013).
Is it OK to be taking part in both competitions at the same time?
Thanks in advance for answering.
Regards,
Tomislav.
Feb 19, 2013 @ 14:39:15
Hi Tomislav,
Yes, you can apply to this CAST selection too, provided that you fullfil the selection criteria indicated on the call for expression of interest.
Regards,
Rosa
Feb 18, 2013 @ 11:27:46
Dear EPSO team,
I am currently 2 years into in my PhD project and am hoping to get my diploma in another 2 years.
My understanding is that this database of candidates will be available and useful for a period of over 2 years. Does it make sense to submit my candidacy, aiming at a post-doc position for after I complete my PhD?
Are you planning to publish yearly calls for applications for being added to the database, or is this a one-time opportunity?
Kind regards,
Tamar
Feb 20, 2013 @ 15:32:35
Dear Tamar,
You could only be eligible for this selection if you have more than 5 years of working experience in one of the fields listed in the Call. Regarding the Doctoral diploma, it had to be obtained before the interviews (around July 2013).
No, calls for expression of interest are only published following the needs for new staff.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 18, 2013 @ 09:54:44
DEAR EPSO TEAM,
Just a question on the competency test:
given that I applied for Profile 3 (Human and Social Sciences), does it mean that I could possibly have to answer questions on Economics and Psychology, even if I have a Phd in Political Sciences ?
Thank your for the information
Luca Barani
Feb 20, 2013 @ 15:28:37
Dear candidate,
Yes, it could be the case.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 17, 2013 @ 22:41:19
Hello, EPSO Team,
I have six years professional experience as Hydrologist and Meteorologist and 4 years more doing my phD, but in Astronomy.
As Astronomy is not considered in the profiles, I have interested in Profile 4: Environmental Sciences.
1) Should I mention my phD in Talent Screener althougth it is not related to the profile?
2) I have two years as meteorologist and 4 years as hydrologist, have I 5 years of experience in such profile?
Thanks.
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:13:27
Dear Jose Luis,
No, your PhD should then not be mentioned in the Talent screener. (it must be in one of the fields listed under point IV.B.b) of the call for expressions of interest)
The work experience must also be in one of the fields listed under point IV.B.b) of the call for expressions of interest.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 17, 2013 @ 22:24:12
In 2010 I applied for the AD/177 competition (the one with a re-run this year) so I already have an EPSO account (if I manage to get my credentials again!). Shall I use this account and update it?
kind regards
Feb 21, 2013 @ 17:04:26
Dear Betta,
Yes, candidates may only have one EPSO Account. You may then use your login and password to apply for this selection.
You will then be invited to fill in a new application form – specific to this selection, which will also be available in your EPSO Account (under the other application form).
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 17, 2013 @ 21:06:58
Dear EPSO team,
I would like to have one information concerning the principal subjects/disciplines relevant to the science profile. I did not see reference to Animal health, veterinary public health and food safety, but I am sure that they are covered by the health science profile, aren’t they?
Thanks in advance for your information.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 16:12:23
Dear Antonio,
Unfortunately, no further information is available to the candidates than the list of the principal subjects/disciplines relevant to each profile available at: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/01/cast-research-additional-information-on-profiles/
Please note that this list is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel.
It is up to each candidate to decide to which of these profiles his/her expertise belongs.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 16, 2013 @ 01:56:14
Hello,
I hold a Master Degree in Political Science and I have 1 year of experience. Can I apply for the posts?
The call for application does not give information for Master degree holders.
Thank you
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:53:59
Dear Alejandro,
At least 5 years of professional experience in one of the fields listed in the Call are requested.
Your master (if university studies of at least 3 years) may be taken into consideration.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 15, 2013 @ 20:47:15
Can I fill the application at different times? If I go back to my account having saved without validation, is it safe to do so?
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:42:07
Dear Carmen,
Yes, you may save your application form and have access to it again via your EPSO Account, by clicking on your candidate number.
If you validate your application form, it will unfortunately no longer possible to modify its content afterwards.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 15, 2013 @ 10:49:58
Dear EPSO team
Does research grants at the University count as professional experience?
Thank you,
Estrella
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:46:35
Dear Estrella,
If it was done under contract and remuneration, it may be considered as work experience.
The rules on the assessment of your professional experience can be consulted here: http://europa.eu/epso/doc/profexp-fortheweb_en.pdf.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 15, 2013 @ 10:36:32
Dear EPSO team,
I completed a PhD programme in Holland where, by law, lasts 4 years. Can I then consider it as a 4 years experience or a 3 years experience?
Regards,
Daniele
Feb 15, 2013 @ 14:49:38
Dear Daniele,
This will be evaluated by the Selection Panel.
As an indication, unpaid PhD’s may be counted as professional experience for a maximum duration of 3 years.
PhD’s with remuneration and work contract fall under the general definition of professional experience and are therefore taken into consideration in full.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 15, 2013 @ 09:38:03
Thank you for clarifying issues on this call, it is appreciated. I have a comment on the rules for the Talent screener. I disagree that in case of two YES, answer 3 will not be considered. Although, one of the diploma is mentioned in both answers (2 and 3), it is possible that an experience related to that diploma was less than 5 years, while other experiences also related to that diploma were more than 5 years. For example: MSc degree XXXX, ten years food science research experience, which goes to answer 2 and three years industrial experience, which goes to answer 3.
Feb 25, 2013 @ 15:15:20
Dear Reka,
Please only mention in the Talent screener section the work experience in one of the fields listed under point IV.B.b) of the call for expressions of interest.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 15, 2013 @ 00:19:06
Hi, I was wondering if profile 3 also includes philosophy. I’m currently working on philosophy of science, specifically, computer simulations. Is there any interest on these topics?
Thanks
Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:21:50
Dear candidate,
Please note that the list provided in the additional information on profiles at http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/ is indicative and is not binding to the selection panel.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 14, 2013 @ 21:02:49
Dear,
in the EPSO/CAST/S/5/2013 Researcher application
do I have to fill up the Talent screener section?
In the application manual I read
“Before accessing your EPSO Account to complete the application form you will
be required to take this compulsory on-line self assessment.”
Where I can find this self assessment test?
Feb 15, 2013 @ 14:59:57
Dear Franco,
Yes, please fill in the Talent screener section.
You will find this on-line self assessment at : https://europa.eu/epso/application/passport/quiz.cfm?comp_id=2
Please note that your score will not be recorded.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 21, 2013 @ 12:34:03
Dear Marie,
do we have to atach our CV
thank you for your anwers
best regards
Franco
Feb 21, 2013 @ 14:37:35
Dear Franco,
No, you do not need to upload a cv in the ‘CVs’ section of your EPSO Account for the moment.
This document would only be consulted if you are successful in this selection procedure, and you name is shortlisted in this database.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 14, 2013 @ 20:36:12
Dear EPSO Team,
Can you send me the link to apply?
Best regards
Camelia
Feb 15, 2013 @ 15:05:26
Dear Camelia,
You may apply at : http://europa.eu/epso/apply/jobs/cast/2013/cast_jrc/index_en.htm
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 14, 2013 @ 20:00:09
I have a question regarding scientific article. My article is now being reviewed in order to be published in an academic journal. I have already received one review – a very positive one – and I am waiting for the second one, which I hope to get still in February. However, it seems that the official publication of the journal will take place in March, i.e. after the application deadline. Assuming that the second review will be also positive, could I indicate now my article in the application form or can I only do that after the official publication (what obviously would mean that I cannot do that for the current competition, only for any future ones)?
Feb 20, 2013 @ 12:11:49
Dear Ula,
The Selection Panel will most likely not take into consideration this publication if it has not yet been published, but you may indicate this future publication under the ‘Motivation and Strengths’ section of your application form.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 14, 2013 @ 17:33:15
OK, apparently there will be no further information for all those who don’t know for which profile they should apply.
What I still don’t understand: how can you expect, for example, that an engineer can answer questions about nuclear physics (profile 3), an economist about psychology (profile 4) or a pharmacist about nutritional sciences (profile 5)? Either the questions have to be very general or they have to be restricted to the candidate’s field of education/professional experience/doctoral diploma.
Feb 14, 2013 @ 18:04:22
Dear Ute,
I regret to inform you that we do not have any further information neither on the profiles, nor on the competency tests.
Kind regards,
Nathalie
Feb 14, 2013 @ 12:46:10
Dear EPSO Team,
I would like to apply for IES. Witch profile is for that Institute?
Thank you in advance for your responce
Feb 20, 2013 @ 11:06:19
Dear Amalia,
The Institute for Environment and Sustainability is made up of eight Scientific Units. Please see : http://ies.jrc.ec.europa.eu/the-institute/units.html
Please note that the job offers will be made according to the actual profile of the candidate, not the field he has chosen in the selection process.
We do not have further indication regarding the recruitment plans following this selection at the JRC headquarters and research institutes.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 14, 2013 @ 11:29:50
My question postet twice until now is still not answered:
does National ACCOUNTS belong to statistics of to economics?
I would be very obliged to get an answer,
thanks
Ligia
Feb 18, 2013 @ 11:18:31
Dear Ligia,
It’s up to each candidates to decide to which of the profiles his/her expertise belongs.
Nathalie
Feb 14, 2013 @ 10:54:07
Hello,
I have two questions:
1) PhD:
During my PhD I received a scholarship and I had a contract. My PhD took 4 years; I defended my thesis successfully and obtained a doctoral title. Where should I put my PhD: under tab ‘Education and training’ or under tab ‘Professional experience’?
2) Competency test:
My background is in metallurgical engineering and materials science therefore I have chosen Profile 2 (Quantitative sciences). However this profile includes a very broad range of disciplines/subjects… At the same time you posted the following: “the test will consist of a set of scientific questions related to the chosen profile as described under point I of the call”. Does this mean that I might have to answer questions from the field of, for example, computer science or nuclear physics?
Feb 15, 2013 @ 14:17:16
Dear Veselin,
We advise you to mention your PhD under the ‘Professional experience’ section.
The competency tests will be related to the chosen profile as described under point I of the call.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 14, 2013 @ 10:41:06
Dear EPSO Team,
Sorry but the adverb “mainly” in the definition of profiles confuses me. Are the subjects “Information Science” and Communication categorically excluded of Profile 3?
Thanks in advance for your attention.
Feb 14, 2013 @ 11:09:10
Dear Maria,
Please note that this list is indicative.
Kind regards,
Nathalie
Feb 13, 2013 @ 23:29:06
Dear Madam/Sir,
I have 4 years and 6 months of my PhD work and several internships (7 months in total) where I had research tasks. I had done those internships after having obtained two master degrees. Can I reply ‘yes’ to the question of 5 year research experience?
Considering the competence test, if I understand you correctly, I as a political scientist will get questions in the field of psycology, economics and sociology? How can you prepare for such a test? Is it possible to get a model test? (like you do with verbal reasoning, etc.)
Thank you in advance for your reaction.
Kindest regards,
Mira
Feb 20, 2013 @ 12:07:53
Dear Mira,
Your PhD may be taken into consideration up to 3 years maximum.
The competency test will indeed consist of questions randomly selected among the different subjects/disciplines indicated as being related to the particular profile.
No example is unfortunately available to the candidates.
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:43:34
Dear Marie,
I am sorry to bother you again but I understood from the replies to other candidates that if I have got an employment contract at the University for doing my PhD and other things, like teaching, then I could count it as research experience. As my contract has been for 4,5 years, I do have 4,5 years of research experience. Am I right?
Concerning my second question, I have not really received an answer from you. Can I count my internship contracts where I have had primarily research duties as research experience. I have in total 7 months of that which would make 5 year experience (if the answer to the first question is positive).
Thank you in advance for your reaction.
Kindest regards,
Mira
Feb 25, 2013 @ 16:32:56
Dear Mira,
This will be evaluated by the Selection Panel. Each Panel includes experts in the relevant field who will have a broad appreciation of the various qualifications in that field.
We may not confirm if this experience will be taken into consideration by the Selection Panel.
Did you obtain a doctoral diploma at the end of this employment and internship contracts? Was it paid? These are the type of elements that you should take into consideration.
Please see also : http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-careers.info/2013/02/13/cast-research-additional-information-2/
Best regards,
Marie – EU Careers
Feb 13, 2013 @ 20:16:59
Dear EPSO TEAM,
Thanks for this additional info, but I still have two questions:
1) Should I then mention the PhD in both the Professional Experience and the Education and Training categories?
2) If I have 2 years and 2 months of work experience and a PhD degree (count as 3 years!?) then does it count as more than 5 years work experience?
Regards,
Kalman
Feb 14, 2013 @ 17:38:26
Dear Kalman,
You can mention your PhD under both Education and Professional experience.
The PhD may be counted as professional experience for a MAXIMUM duration of 3 years. It’s up to the selection panel to decide on the valid duration of your work experience.
Kind regards,
Nathalie