SETAC Europe Council Nominations

SETAC Europe is soliciting applications for the SETAC Europe Council. SETAC Europe is one of the 5 Geographical Units (GUs) of the global Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). Every GU is governed by a board or council, elected by the SETAC members in that geography. SETAC, as the umbrella organisation, is governed by the SETAC World Council composed of representatives from the GU boards or councils.   

SETAC Europe is comprised of close to 8,000 individual members and institutions from academia, business, government and civil society. Globally, SETAC has some 18,000 members. SETAC Europe is registered as a not-for-profit association in Brussels, Belgium to serve as the regional umbrella organisation for all members of SETAC residing in a European country or a non-European country assigned by the SETAC World Council to the administration of SETAC Europe. SETAC Europe Council members are elected by the voting members of SETAC Europe at the Annual General Assembly which takes place during the Annual Meeting, this year on the 14th of May in Vienna, Austria.   

The SETAC Europe Council is responsible for providing direction to the GU, within the framework of the SETAC global strategy, to ensure effective planning and monitoring of programmes, to provide financial oversight and ensuring legal, ethical and fiduciary integrity of the Society. Council members serve as ambassadors of SETAC and are key actors to enhance SETAC’s image. The SETAC Europe programmes, are executed by the Brussels office, with the help of volunteer committees and include annual meetings, symposia, workshops, professional training courses, awards and science outreach. SETAC Europe’s annual turnover is close to 2.5 M€.   

Working in the SETAC Europe Council gives you the opportunity to shape the future of the Society within a dynamic, international and highly motivated team of professionals and volunteers.   

The SETAC Europe council members are expected to participate in monthly council meetings, of which two are face-to-face. One for a full-day meeting on the Saturday immediately prior to the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting, and one two-day meeting in Brussels in September/October). The other meetings are 2-hour monthly online meetings. In addition to this, SETAC Europe Council members are also encouraged to participate in one committee dedicated to specific programs or tasks (e.g. finances, awards; diversity, equity and inclusion; education; regional branches and science).   

The expected time investment for SETAC Europe Council members (including meetings, conference calls and committee activities) is  1 to 2 days per month.   

SETAC Europe Council members serve for a period of 3 years and may be re-elected for one additional term of 3 years.  

In 2025, 8 of the current 19 members of the council rotate off and as many vacancies arise. SETAC Europe Council pursues balanced distribution between the professional sectors and vacancies (2-4 per sector) are available for full SETAC Europe members affiliated with the business, government, and academic sector. We also encourage full members from the civil society sector to apply. In addition, the composition of the council should strive for diversity and inclusivity.  Full members with student or early career status having more than 3 years of professional experience and active involvement in SETAC affairs are also encouraged to apply.  

We offer: 

• Opportunities to shape the future of the Society 
• A dynamic, international and highly motivated team to work with 
• Opportunities to further extend your international professional network 
• A very rewarding volunteer job in pursuit of SETAC’s mission “Environmental Quality through Science” 
• A 3-year term with the possibility for re-election for 1 consecutive term

We ask:  

• Experience or affinity with governance 
• Being a full SETAC member in good standing and well acquainted with SETAC activities 
• Commitment for a 3-year term and ability and motivation to spend  1 to 2 days per month on council and committee activities 
• Support from your organisation to cover costs for travel and your time (SETAC may contribute to your travel costs when working for SETAC in exceptional cases). 
• Residing in the geographic area of SETAC Europe (Europe, Middle East and Central Asia).  

Please apply using the below form form by 27 March 2025.

Eligible candidates will be presented for election at the Annual General Assembly to be held on Wednesday, 14 May, during the SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting in Vienna, Austria. The term of elected candidates will start upon their election by the SETAC Europe Annual General Assembly in May 2025. 

For more information about the SETAC Europe Council and the procedure, please contact [email protected] attn. to Bruno Campos, Immediate-past president of SETAC Europe or contact SETAC Europe Executive Director Karel De Schamphelaere ([email protected]).