SETAC Europe Board Applications

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 Board of Directors, composed of representatives of each GU.   

SETAC Europe is comprised of close to 3,500 individual members, representing the academia, business, government and civil society sectors. Globally, SETAC has some 8,500 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 Board. SETAC Europe Board 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 Wednesday, 20 May in Maastricht, the Netherlands.   

The SETAC Europe Board is responsible for providing direction to SETAC Europe, within the framework of SETAC’s global strategy, to ensure effective planning and monitoring of programmes, to provide financial oversight and ensure legal, ethical and fiduciary integrity of the Society. Board members (also called ‘Directors’) 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 Board is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of the Society, collaborate within a dynamic, international and highly motivated team of professionals and volunteers and drive impactful initiatives in environmental science.    

For more details on the activities, rights and responsibilities of the Board and its Directors, a “Board of Directors Information Pack” is available for download. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult this package before submitting their application. 

The SETAC Europe Directors are expected to participate in (approximately) monthly Board meetings, of which two are face-to-face: one is a full-day meeting on the Sunday immediately before the opening of the SETAC Europe Annual Meeting, and another is a two-day meeting in Brussels, usually in October or November. The other meetings are 2-hour monthly online meetings. In addition to this, SETAC Europe Directors are also encouraged to participate in committees dedicated to specific programmes as a liaison (e.g. finances; awards; diversity, equity and inclusion; education; regional branches and science) or dedicated to specific tasks (ad hoc committees).   

The expected time investment for SETAC Europe Directors (including in-person meetings, online meetings, committee activities, and time to prepare for meetings) is  1 to 2 days per month.   

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

This year, we are looking for up to 5 new Directors. To ensure a balanced representation across sectors, we have 5 vacancies for SETAC Europe full members affiliated with the following sectors:  

• 1 vacancy for a member representing the academia sector
• 2 vacancies for members representing the business sector
• 1 vacancy for a member representing the government sector
• 1 vacancy for a member representing civil society

Full members with a student or recent graduate membership status are also encouraged to apply for one of the above vacancies. 

We offer:

• Opportunity to shape the future of SETAC Europe by contributing significantly to setting the long-term strategic direction of SETAC Europe, as well as to ensuring effective planning of programmes and events.
• A rewarding volunteer leadership position in pursuit of SETAC’s motto, “Environmental Quality through Science”
• Opportunity to be part of a dynamic, international, diverse, and motivated team
• Opportunity to develop demonstrable experience as a Board member and (non-profit) Board governance skills
• Opportunities to extend your international professional network, including selected by-invitation-only networking socials.
• A 3-year term with the possibility for re-election for 1 consecutive 3-year term

We ask:  

• Experience or affinity with governance
• Integrity, (fiduciary) responsibility, and volunteer & collaborative spirit
• Being a full SETAC member in good standing and well acquainted with SETAC’s mission, and SETAC Europe’s programmes and activities 
• Commitment for a 3-year term, and capacity and motivation to spend 1 to 2 days per month on Board 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, the Middle East and Central Asia).  

Please apply using the form below by 17 April  2026.

Eligible candidates will be presented for election at the Annual General Assembly to be held on Wednesday, 20 May, during the SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The term of elected candidates will start immediately upon their election by the SETAC Europe Annual General Assembly. 

For more information about the SETAC Europe Board and the procedure, please contact [email protected] attn. to Sabine Apitz, immediate-past president of SETAC Europe.