Trainee (Institutional and Policy department)

Selection procedure reference: EMA/TR/11412 

Deadline for applications: 06 May 2026 23:59 CET 

 

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU), located in Amsterdam. It began operating in 1995. It is responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU.

 

This traineeship opportunity is now open for applications until 06 May 2026 23:59 CET, with an intake on 1 October 2026.

About the traineeship programme

The Agency is looking for motivated, qualified recent graduates or students on an Erasmus+ or other programme or PhD students or Master's students (who posses a previous degree), who are interested in gaining experience and contribute to the Agency’s work for every patient in Europe. The purpose of a traineeship at the Agency is to perform tasks that are predominantly in the interest of the trainee’s training and principally serve to increase the trainee’s knowledge and to gain relevant experience.

Placement description

We are looking for a trainee in the Institutional and Policy Department.

Specific objectives and projects

The selected trainee will contribute to activities related to EMA’s institutional relations and policy work, including:   Institutional liaison • Collecting information and contributing to the preparation of background briefings for EMA’s interactions with EU institutions • Contributing to the preparation of visits of senior-level representatives of EU institutions and EU agencies to EMA • Monitoring and summarising initiatives and discussions at EU institutions relevant to EMA’s work • Contributing to the Department’s tracking and analysis of new EU legislation relevant to EMA   Management Board • Contributing to the preparation of Management Board meetings • Supporting activities of the Management Board Secretariat   Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) • Contributing to the preparation of EMA’s participation in HMA meetings • Contributing to the preparation of visits of heads of national medicines agencies and Member State ambassadors to EMA   EMA policies • Contributing to the preparation or revision of EMA policies and related guidance documents

Learning outcomes

The trainee is expected to:

• Develop knowledge of the EU regulatory framework applicable to EMA

• Learn more about the Agency’s cooperation with EU institutions and EU agencies

• Increase knowledge of new EU legal proposals relevant to EMA that are going through the legislative process

• Gain knowledge of EMA’s cooperation with national medicines agencies

• Gain experience in organising senior-level meetings (e.g. Management Board meetings, institutional visits)

• Gain experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for consideration for this placement, you are required to:

1. enjoy full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State or Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway;
2. possess a university degree in public administration, political or social sciences (minimum of three years or more) that must have been obtained between 6 May 2025 and 6 May 2026 or be a university student on an Erasmus + or a similar programme or a PhD student or a Master's student with a previous fully finished degree in the areas mentioned before.
3. a thorough knowledge of English (at least level C1) and good knowledge of other official EU language (at least B2) of the Common European Framework for Languages

 

For criteria 1 and 2, you will be required to provide proof in the application form and at the interview stage. Failing to present these documents may result in the disqualification from the procedure.

Additional skills

• Good understanding and knowledge of one or more of the key EMA institutional stakeholders, e.g. EU Institutions and EU Agencies, National Competent Authorities; • Knowledge of the EU regulatory framework for pharmaceuticals, EU health policies and administrative procedures relevant to the activities described; • Good understanding of the EU and national political environment; • Experience in working in or with EU institutions, EU Agencies or national medicines agencies; • Excellent command of English • Excellent analytical and communication skills

Behavioural Competencies

You will demonstrate the following behavioural competencies:

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Working with others
• Adaptability
• Research and analytical skills
• Learning and development

Conditions of traineeship

The traineeship is offered for 10 months (1 October 2026 – 31 July 2027) and takes place at the Agency’s premises in Amsterdam with possibility for teleworking up to 40% of working time from The Netherlands and occasional teleworking from outside The Netherlands. Traineeships are offered for either full-time or part-time (80% or 50%) if combined with university studies.

The Agency pays a monthly stipend of €2,049.77 for a full-time traineeship (reduced accordingly for 80% or 50%) and a travel contribution upon joining the Agency.

Each trainee will have a mentor at the Agency who will guide the trainee through the programme.

The conditions of employment are stated in the Executive Decision on rules governing the traineeship programme at the EMA available here.

Expected selection timelines

Deadline for applications  06 May 2026 23:59 CET  Assessments (remote) From mid-June 2026 to mid-July 2026 Decision and offers  By end of July 2026 Placement start  1 October 2026

 

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Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands

Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 - Email recruitment@ema.europa.eu

 

© European Medicines Agency, 2024. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.