Scientific Advisory Body 2026

Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) for the selection of new members of the Scientific Advisory Body (SAB) of the Clean Aviation JU
Applications shall be submitted to the CAJU by 12:00 CET on 16th April 2026. For completeness of the description refer to the CEI text published and available on www.clean-aviation.eu

1.    Introduction 
The present CEI constitutes a complementary call for selection of members of the Scientific Advisory Body (SAB) in Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (hereinafter “CAJU”).  The applicable selection process and criteria are based on the Governing Board Decision ref. CAJU-GB-2021-12-16. In accordance with Article 1(11) of the Annex to that Decision, the specific implementation modalities for this call are set out from section 3 onwards.

Established under Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 (Single Basic Act) , the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking is a public-private partnership between the EU represented by the European Commission and the European aviation sector, represented by the founding members and the associated members. More information on CAJU objectives, scope and program structure are on the CAJU website www.clean-aviation.eu .

2.    Statutory role and tasks of the SAB

In accordance with Article 21 and 70 of the Single Basic Act, the SAB shall be the Scientific Advisory Body of the CAJU and shall carry out the following tasks: 
(a)    advise on the scientific priorities to be addressed in the work programmes including on scope of calls for proposals, in line with the SRIA and the Horizon Europe strategic planning; 
(b)    advise on the scientific achievements to be described in the annual activity report; 
(c)    suggest, in view of the progress of the SRIA and individual actions, corrective measures or re-orientations to the governing board, where necessary; 
(d)    provide independent advice and scientific analysis on specific issues as requested by the governing board, in particular as regards developments in adjacent sectors or to support the assessment of applications of potential associated members and contributing partners; 
(e)    evaluate the results from technology and innovation actions that are funded by the joint undertaking and report to the Governing Board; 
(f)    participate in sector integration committees specifically set up between European partnerships under Horizon Europe to enable synergies; 
(g)    cooperate with relevant European aviation stakeholders’ fora, such as the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE); 
(h)    hold coordination meetings with the advisory bodies of other relevant joint undertakings such as the Single European Sky ATM Research 3 Joint Undertaking, with the aim of promoting synergies and cooperation among relevant Union research and innovation initiatives in aviation and providing advice to that effect to the CAJU on this basis. 
(i)    advise and support the Commission and the CAJU on initiatives that promote aviation research in the European education systems, and provide recommendations on aeronautical skills and competences development and updated aeronautical engineering curricula. The SAB meets approximately four times a year, its assignments and consultations are organized by the programme office of the CAJU. Further information on the SAB, its internal organization and cooperation with other JUs’ advisory groups and ACARE is detailed in the SAB Rules of Procedure (SAB N° SC 1bis/2022), available here

3. The SAB selection process and the nature of the Complementary Call for Expressions of Interest

(a)    The procedure for the selection of candidates for membership of the Clean Aviation Scientific Advisory Body is hereby launched through a complementary Call for Expressions of Interest (hereinafter referred to as the CEI) drawn up by the Executive Director of the JU who shall oversee the selection process under the supervision of the Governing Board of the CAJU. Candidates included in the shortlist drawn up by the Evaluation Panel and presented to the Board may be appointed by the Governing Board as members of the SAB. 
(b)    The Call for Expressions of Interest shall be published through the website of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. The States Representatives Group of the CAJU shall be notified of the publication of the Call for Expressions of Interest and shall be invited to make recommendations of possible candidates, however application under the present CEI is a necessary condition for any candidate’s expression of interest to be considered for selection.
(c)    The applicants will be duly informed of the follow-up and results related to the present CEI. The JU reserves the right to publish additional information or “corrigenda” to the present CEI as appropriate.

4. Eligibility criteria and conditions

4.1 Essential eligibility criteria
Candidates shall meet the following essential eligibility criteria:
(a)    Individuals/persons holding a University degree in a relevant area, such as but not limited to, Science, Technology, Engineering, Economics at post-graduate level; PhD and/or postdoctoral experience is considered an asset.
(b)    At least 15 years of professional experience in the aeronautic or aerospace sector, or in a similar environment after having obtained the above mentioned degree;
(c)    Proven scientific, technical and/or programmatic and regulatory understanding of aviation research and technology development, including certification requirements and processes; 
(d)    Recognised competence and expertise in one or more of the following areas:
i.    Science, Technology, Engineering and Economics, with a focus on applied experience in the aeronautical field;
ii.    Particularly in Engineering disciplines with the potential for disruptive innovation in aviation, such as but not limited to: 
-    Overall aircraft design and new technology integration aspects for all aircraft types (primarily CS23 and CS25 but other categories such Innovative Air mobility and Helicopters might also be considered);
-    Conventional and advanced engine design and technology and integration techniques for Short medium range and regional segments including electric, hybrid-electric and new fuels (e.g. SAF, Hydrogen);
-    Airframe and structural design and materials (including composite materials);
-    Aircraft systems in general (such as on-board energy and thermal management, digital systems and electronics);
-    Advanced technologies related to electric and hybrid electric propulsion (including batteries and related systems, low and high voltage electrical systems);
-    Advanced technologies related to hydrogen powered propulsion (including fuel cells, gas turbine combustion, storage, cryogenic technologies);
-    Industrialisation of technologies ;
-    Digitalisation (including the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the aeronautical sector);
(e)    recognised competence and expertise in one or more of the following additional areas:
i.    Aviation and/or transport economics, socio-economic sciences and econometric modelling (including aspects of competitiveness of the aeronautical industry);
ii.    Socio-economic impact of research and innovation for demonstrating disruptive technologies in aviation ;
iii.    Knowledge and understanding of EU and national policies and activities relevant to aviation climate impact (non-CO2 and Global warming) or industrialisation and building supply chain capabilities and digitalisation;
(f)    Excellent command of written and spoken English.

4.2 Eligibility conditions
The candidates shall  not be in any of the following situations:
(a)    European Commission staff, including external staff working for the Commission, staff of the Joint Research Centre, officials of Member States, and of national, regional or local authorities shall not be eligible; 
(b)    Candidate SAB Members shall not be members of any other body of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking; 
(c)    Persons who are employed by an organisation that is  a private member of CAJU   (Founding Members and Associated Members ) shall not be eligible.

Should a person be selected through this procedure for the SAB or added to its reserve list be employed by an organisation that is selected at a later stage for membership of the CAJU, he/she shall notify the Executive Director of the JU without delay and resign from the SAB or his/her eligibility shall be considered to be ceased and his/her mandate to be revoked.

5. Selection criteria

5.1. Selection criteria
In line with Article 2.3 of the Governing Board Decision ref. CAJU-GB-2021-12-16 concerning the Specific criteria for selection, candidates shall be assessed based on the following selection criteria: 
(a)    The competencies and expertise necessary to make relevant and impactful science-based recommendations to the CAJU; 
(b)    The need for a balanced composition (of the stakeholders) reflecting the key technological challenges and scientific domains relevant for the achievement of the objectives as set for the CAJU as set in the Single Basic Act, including the potential for market deployment and impact within the timeframes foreseen therein; 
(c)    A clear understanding of the global state-of-art in their field of expertise (including beyond aviation where relevant); 
(d)    The need to ensure geographical and gender balance.

5.2. Complementary selection criteria
In view of the CAJU’s need to ensure an adequate coverage of the scientific and technological competences required for the effective implementation of Phase 2 of the Clean Aviation Programme, in addition to the section 5.1 above, the candidates shall be assessed on the following complementary selection criteria:

(a)    In addition to the above, proven ability to seek consensus and to provide impactful analyses for example through evidenced participation in other scientific and/or technological advisory bodies would be an asset. 
(b)    In addition to the above, a track record of valorisation of research and/or the transfer of science and innovation results into market applications and/or successful experience in running large and complex commercial aviation programme would be an asset.

The CAJU  reserves the right to request any necessary documentary evidence and records it deems necessary to verify the applicants' skills and knowledge under the CEI selection process and subsequently in view of the appointment decision to be taken by the Governing Board of the CAJU.

The CAJU shall reserve the right to request any necessary documentary evidence it deems fit in order to verify the applicants' eligibility at any stage of the process and after appointment by the Governing Board. 
The candidate members shall be required to inform the CAJU immediately of any changes to their professional status and functions covered including administrative details during the selection of the SAB or at any later stage which may result in a substantial change to their original application, selection, and appointment by the Governing Board.

6. Selection and appointment procedure 
(a)    Based on the applications received, the Executive Director of the CAJU will prepare a list of all candidates eligible to become new members of the SAB based on sections 4 (Eligibility criteria and conditions) described above. 
(b)    An evaluation panel composed of seven (7) members including members of the Governing Board of the CAJU, senior statutory staff of the CAJU and representatives of the European Commission will carry out an assessment of the eligible candidates applications based on the selection criteria under section 5. The evaluation panel will establish a  shortlist of up to 4 candidates who are considered best suited for selection and appointment as well as a reserve list of up to 6 further candidates. 
(c)    The Chair of the Governing Board (in cooperation with the Executive Director) will present the results of the evaluation panel’s selection process to the Governing Board in the form of a  short-list of selected candidates, a  reserve list and a  record of candidates not retained  in the lists as well as candidates declared  ineligible. 
(d)    Based on the lists established by the evaluation panel, the Governing Board will appoint four (4) Members of the SAB also by taking into consideration the candidates proposed by the CAJU States’ Representatives Group and approve the reserve list. 
(e)    Members of the SAB will be appointed for 3 years and indicatively until 31st January 2029 based on the current CAJU planning of activities. This mandate will be  issued under the existing CAJU legal framework and is subject to the legal application of the JUs Single Basic Act Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 and is without prejudice to possible changes in governance introduced by a possible JU successor legal act.
(f)    The approved reserve list will be valid for the duration of the SAB mandate under the existing JU Single Basic Act . In case of a vacancy in the SAB composition, the Governing Board will, subject to continuing eligibility check in terms of the eligibility specified in this document, appoint a new member from the reserve list for the duration of the aforementioned term. 
(g)    Before their appointment, all members of the SAB shall be required to complete a declaration of confidentiality as well as a commitment to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest they may have in relation to the independent and objective fulfillment of their mandate and specific tasks   in line with the procedure established by the Governing Board to give effect to Articles 31 and 40 of the Single Basic Act. 
(h)    The same rules on appointment, reimbursement of costs and allowances, applicable to the European Commission external experts according to the rules of the European Commission will apply to the members of the SAB and will be implemented by the Joint Undertaking.

7. Application procedure 
Applicants should carefully review their suitability and potential candidacy including the eligibility criteria. 
Applicants are requested to submit an online application via the Clean Aviation Calls for Expression of Interest page: https://www.clean-aviation.eu/clean-aviation-calls 
The Link to the Application Submission System: https://aa293.referrals.selectminds.com/cs2 

8. Deadline for submission of applications 
Applications shall be submitted to the CAJU by 12:00 CET on 16th April 2026.

9. Other information 
No correspondence will be exchanged on the status of the applications except in the case of a positive or negative final decision, or in the case of any necessary documentary evidence the Executive Director or the evaluation panel may deem necessary for the establishment of eligibility and assessment of the selection criteria as set out in sections 4 and 5 of this call. Applicants are therefore formally requested not to enquire about the progress of their application by email, telephone or fax, nor by letter.

10. Confidentiality and dissemination 
For each task they will be called to perform, the appointed SAB Members shall demonstrate appropriate ethical conduct, absence of conflict of interest and shall respect the confidentiality of the information and documents to which they will have access. The appointed SAB Members as well as invited observers, shall be subject to the obligation of professional secrecy which, by virtue of the Treaties and the rules implementing them, applies to all members of the institutions and their staff, as well as to the Commission’s rules on security regarding the protection of sensitive non-classified and Union classified information, laid down in Commission Decisions (EU, Euratom) 2015/44331 and 2015/44432 respectively. 
Specific clauses to this effect will be included in and/or annexed to the experts’ model contract. Each SAB Member shall also sign an individual non-disclosure agreement prior to the start of his/her SAB activities.

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