EU Food Law, Scientific Affairs & Data Advisor

Starch Europe, the trade association representing the EU starch industry, is looking to recruit a Policy Advisor with a strong background in food law, food safety, and broader regulatory matters. The successful candidate will work closely with the Regulatory Affairs Director to support the coordination and execution of regulatory tasks, contribute to the association’s advocacy efforts, and help ensure that the industry’s voice is effectively represented in EU policymaking.

As a strong networker, communicator, and diplomat with a solid technical and scientific background, you excel at building consensus among trade association members. You are skilled at distilling complex information, identifying the core issues, and developing clear, structured solutions.

Starch Europe offers the opportunity to work closely with key stakeholders in a dynamic and evolving sector, and to support the industry’s contribution to a more sustainable European food system.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor regulatory developments related to food and feed safety, and broader food policy topics.
• Assess new and existing legislation, evaluating their potential impact on the sector, and communicate these developments to members with clarity and precision.
• Interpret emerging scientific studies and assess their relevance to industry needs or policy developments.
• Coordinate the collection, consolidation, and analysis of data, particularly on food safety-related issues, to support evidence-based advocacy and compliance efforts.
• Identify, propose, and help facilitate common positions among members, contributing to the development of clear and aligned messaging.
• Support the preparation of technical dossiers, submissions, and regulatory interactions with relevant authorities.
• Represent and defend the industry’s positions with EU policymakers and regulators, national associations, partners, and other key stakeholders; contribute to expanding and maintaining these networks.
• Provide scientific and technical support to the association and its members across relevant policy and regulatory matters.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in agronomy, food safety, food technology / a PhD or research background in a relevant scientific field (e.g. food science, toxicology, biology, agricultural sciences) is welcomed
• Scientific or technical background is a pre-requisite

• At least 2-5 years’ experience in a regulatory or legal role preferably in industry, a trade association, law practice or consultancy with food context; 5+ years’ experience is welcomed,
• Prior experience in areas such as food processing, raw materials, and of scientific topics. Understanding of EU regulatory developments in the same domains
• Experience in data collection and management and statistical analysis.
• Ability to propose actions to drive regulatory developments in the right direction, and to explain the issues of the industry to regulators and other stakeholders.
• Ability to drive discussions and to seek a suitable compromise for all parties, both within the membership and with external stakeholders/EU institutions.
• Excellent Oral and Written command of English. Additional EU languages also considered an important asset.
• Good communication skills and the ability to translate scientific and technical information into simple messages.
• A proactive, can-do attitude with the ability to take initiative and drive tasks forward independently.
• Systems thinker with resilience to navigate complex, long-term regulatory processes.

For more information about Starch Europe: http://www.starch.eu

Please send your CV, and a motivation letter by email to Veronique Deridder veronique.deridder@starch.eu

Deadline: 31st August 2025