Due to the exceptionally high number of Requests for Review submitted for Competition EPSO/AD/413/24 (all fields), we wish to inform candidates that processing these requests will take longer than usual.

To ensure our team can work as efficiently as possible, we kindly ask that candidates refrain from contacting the Selection Board, EPSO’s Director, or EPSO staff for individual updates. Doing so will not accelerate the process, as responses will be provided only once all requests have been thoroughly reviewed.

We fully understand the importance of this stage for all candidates and assure you that updates will be published directly in candidates’ account as soon as they are available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure a fair and transparent process for everyone involved.

The reserve list of this competition was briefly published a week ago. It is currently being updated and will be republished in a couple of days.

EPSO received a total of 7496 applications for the scientific researchers competitions (EPSO/AD/413-24: 10 fields), around 50% more than estimated. EPSO and the EU institutions welcome this positive result. However, this brings with it an additional challenge for EPSO’s services and the competition’s Selection Board. We have recently taken stock of the situation, and it has become apparent that in order to ensure fair and equal treatment to all candidates, a core principle of all our selection procedures, we will only be able to deliver a reserve list by October or November 2025, and not in September 2025, as initially planned. EPSO would like to thank the candidates concerned for their understanding and for their patience.

Candidates to the Scientific Researchers competition are advised to keep the following in mind when responding to the field-related short-text questionnaire (FRSTQ test):

• Your answers will be assessed on the basis of your knowledge and skills (i.e., the competencies necessary for performing activities in the respective areas referenced in the Notice of Competition), as demonstrated through your described experience.
• Candidates will not be asked to prove the experiences referred to, but should keep in mind that the markers are also experts in the given field.
• The focus is on the depth of your experience, on the evidence of how you have applied your knowledge and skills in practice, and on the outcome.
• Simply listing experience is NOT sufficient. You must clearly demonstrate your proficiency as regards the relevant knowledge and skills.
• Other competencies, such as written communication (spelling, grammar, etc.) or teamwork, will NOT be assessed in this context.
• Candidates can use technical language, project names, names of techniques and abbreviations related to the field. Again, keep in mind that the markers are also experts in the given field. 

Important: Candidates should use examples that clearly demonstrate their knowledge and skills, e.g. concrete projects, processes and timelines, etc. However, under no circumstances should the names of individuals (e.g. your own name, supervisors and/or colleagues) be mentioned here, unless related to the inventor of a concept or a technique. 

EPSO invites you to read the general description on the FRSTQ test, provided in October 2024, for a comprehensive overview of this topic.

We have received a number of requests to clarify what is meant in section 4.3.2 (c) (ii) of the Notice of Competition “… Candidates are encouraged to use examples from their prior professional experience when answering FRSTQ test questions …”

What is meant is that candidates should use examples that clearly demonstrate their knowledge and skills e.g. concrete projects, processes and times etc.. However, under no circumstances should names (candidates’, supervisor, individuals) be mentioned here.

Candidates will not be asked to prove the experiences referred to, but should keep in mind that the markers are also experts in the given field.

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries regarding the open competition for scientific research administrators (EPSO/AD/413/24).

As a reminder to all candidates, we strongly advise you to carefully read the Notice of Competition and all annexes before submitting your application.

It is essential to note that candidates must meet all general and specific eligibility conditions on the closing date for applications. Please ensure you review the eligibility criteria thoroughly before filling in your application form.

In response to the numerous queries, we would like to clarify that EPSO cannot provide any information on the candidates’ eligibility. The Selection Board will evaluate each candidate's application and decide whether their peer reviewed publications, their diploma and professional experience can be taken into account for the purpose of this competition. Their decision will be based solely on the information provided in the candidate's application form.

For further information about the relevance of professional experience we would also like to refer candidates to this FAQ on our website.

Im Rahmen des bevorstehenden Auswahlverfahrens im Bereich wissenschaftliche Forschung, das am 5. November 2024 vom EPSO veröffentlicht werden soll (weitere Einzelheiten siehe Anstehende Auswahlverfahren | EU Careers (europa.eu)), wird eine neue Art von Prüfung eingeführt: der fachbezogene Fragebogen mit kurzen Textantworten.

Anhand dieser Prüfung werden die Fachkenntnisse der Bewerber*innen bewertet. Die Fragen erfordern knappe, präzise und erfahrungsbasierte Antworten, die die Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten der betreffenden Person in dem Fachgebiet belegen.

Die Bewerber*innen erhalten zehn Fragen und haben 60 Minuten Zeit für die Prüfung, wobei jede Antwort maximal 500 Zeichen (einschließlich Leerzeichen) lang sein darf.

Derzeit ist diese Prüfung nur bei diesem Auswahlverfahren vorgesehen. Gegebenenfalls kann EPSO sie jedoch auch bei künftigen Auswahlverfahren einsetzen.