Type of position:
Trainee
Job Type:
30 September 2026 23:59 CEST
Selection procedure reference
: EMA/TR/11532
Deadline for applications
: 30 September 2026 23:59 CEST
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 30 September 2026 23:59 CEST
, with an intake on 1 March 2027.
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 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 Legal Department.
Specific objectives and projects
Involvement in a holistic approach to the activities of the Legal Department, supporting its three offices - Pharma Law and Support to Core Business Office’, Litigation Office, General Affairs and Anti-Fraud Office - in delivering legal assistance to the Agency and to the relevant network.
The selected trainee will provide support on some of the currently ongoing projects relevant to their experience, which could range from the general pharmaceutical legislation ("GPL") to the handling of requests for access to documents, while also providing operational support across different services, such as inquiries from the European Ombudsman and litigation activities. For the entire length of the traineeship, the selected trainee will be assisting Legal Administrators in various forms, such as attending relevant meetings together, writing reports on legal matters, researching relevant case-law, etc.
Learning outcomes
The trainee is expected to:
• Increase knowledge of the legal framework and provision of legal advice relevant to the Agency, as well as research methodologies in areas of law applicable to its operations.
• Develop understanding of the Agency's procedures and internal stakeholder communication within EMA's areas of competence.
• Contribute to the Agency's objectives by sharing their academic expertise and unique perspective.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for consideration for this placement, you are required to:
enjoy full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State or Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway;
possess a university degree (minimum of three years or more) in law, that must have been obtained between 30 September 2025 and 30 September 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.
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
Knowledge of EU law/EU pharmaceutical law obtained in the course of university studies, traineeship, or working experience.
Skills in writing official documents in English.
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 March 2027 – 31 December 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
30 September 2026 23:59 CEST
Assessments (remote)
From mid-October 2026 to mid-November 2026
Decision and offers
By end of December 2026
Placement start
1 March 2027
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 - Email
[email protected]
© European Medicines Agency, 2024. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Join us to work for every patient in Europe!
Who we are?
Serving a population of 500 million citizens, we promote and protect public animal health in EU Member States, as well as the countries of the European Economic Area, by ensuring that all medicines available on the EU market are safe, effective and of high quality.
What do we offer?
Meaningful work contributing to protecting the
health of every individual and animal
in Europe within
multinational
, multidisciplinary
team
Development opportunities
(e.g. internal mobility, mentoring, peer coaching, career reflection programme, etc.)
Work-life balance
(flexible working arrangements, teleworking, generous annual leave plus official holidays)
Benefits
(applicable only to Temporary Agent and Contract Agent vacancies)
In principle, initial 5 year renewable contract with competitive monthly national
tax-free salary
and
household & children’s
allowances
(where applicable).
Privileges including
expatriation
(for expatriate staff)
and education allowances
(where appropriate) and additional home leave.
Relocation assistance.
Excellent
health insurance
scheme and
social benefits
.
Retirement
Pension Plan
.
Read more about
Contracts and Salary
Useful links:
Careers at EMA - Guidance on Recruitment
How to apply - our recruitment process
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