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Regulatory Officer - Ecotoxicologist
€4,449 - €5,034/month 4 days left to apply
Environment Jobs
1 positions at EU institutions
Environment roles inside the European Union institutions cover everything from drafting the legislative architecture of the European Green Deal at [DG ENV](/institutions/ec/) and [DG CLIMA](/institutions/ec/), to running EU-wide environmental monitoring at the [European Environment Agency (EEA)](/institutions/eea/), to assessing chemical safety at the [European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)](/institutions/echa/), to enforcing the EU Emissions Trading System and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The EU's environmental ambition has been transformed since the European Green Deal of 2019: the Climate Law sets a binding 2030 emissions reduction target of at least 55% and net-zero by 2050, the Nature Restoration Regulation, the Industrial Emissions Directive reform, the Soil Monitoring Law, and the Circular Economy Action Plan add deep legislative work. If you're an environmental scientist, a chemicals risk assessor, a climate-policy specialist, or an environmental lawyer, the EU institutions are one of the world's largest single concentrations of public-sector environmental work.
1 position found
About Environment careers at EU institutions
Typical roles in environment
The largest hiring categories include policy officers at [DG ENV](/institutions/ec/) (biodiversity, water, waste and circular economy, chemicals, air quality, nature, soil), policy officers at [DG CLIMA](/institutions/ec/) (EU ETS, Effort Sharing Regulation, CBAM, international climate negotiations, climate-adaptation strategy), environmental scientists at the [European Environment Agency (EEA)](/institutions/eea/) in Copenhagen running pan-European environmental monitoring and producing flagship assessments (SOER, climate-impact indicators, air-quality reports), risk assessors at the [European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)](/institutions/echa/) in Helsinki on REACH, CLP, biocides, and the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation, environmental researchers at the [Joint Research Centre](/institutions/jrc/) (especially Ispra for climate impact, ecology, water, soil, and air), and environmental enforcement specialists supporting Article 258 infringement proceedings. Specialised tracks include marine-environment specialists working with [EMSA](/institutions/emsa/) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, environmental economists at DG ECFIN and DG ENV, GIS specialists, and environmental health specialists working with [EFSA](/institutions/efsa/) and DG SANTE.
Top hiring institutions for environment
[DG ENV](/institutions/ec/) at the Commission is one of the central employers with around 500 staff. [DG CLIMA](/institutions/ec/) employs around 300 staff focused on climate. The [European Environment Agency (EEA)](/institutions/eea/) in Copenhagen employs around 220 staff producing pan-European environmental analytics. The [European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)](/institutions/echa/) in Helsinki is the largest agency in this domain with around 600 staff working on chemicals risk assessment. The [Joint Research Centre](/institutions/jrc/) Ispra site is the largest concentration of environmental scientists in the EU institutional family. [DG SANTE](/institutions/ec/) handles environment-health interfaces. The [European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)](/institutions/emsa/) in Lisbon handles marine pollution. The Commission's [Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)](/institutions/ec/) manages the LIFE programme. The European Investment Bank's Environmental and Social Office assesses environmental impacts of EIB-financed projects. The Council Working Party on the Environment and the European Parliament's ENVI Committee secretariat hire environmental-policy advisors. The European Economic and Social Committee's NAT section provides civil-society input to environmental policy.
Salary expectations for environment
Standard EU staff scales apply at DG ENV, DG CLIMA, EEA, ECHA, JRC, EMSA, and CINEA. AD5 entry-level environmental policy officers and scientists earn around €5,000–5,700 per month gross at step 1. AD7 senior environmental specialists earn €7,400–8,500. AD9 senior policy officers, principal scientists at EEA, senior risk assessors at ECHA, and senior researchers at the JRC earn €9,500–10,500. AD12 heads of unit at DG ENV, DG CLIMA, EEA, or ECHA reach €13,000–14,500. Function Group IV (FG IV) Contract Agents working as environmental analysts or risk-assessor support typically earn €4,200–6,800/month. Standard EU benefits — expatriation allowance (16%), household allowance, education allowance, EU community tax — apply. Correction coefficients adjust pay across duty stations: Copenhagen (EEA) and Helsinki (ECHA) apply coefficients above 100, reflecting higher cost of living. Lisbon (EMSA) and Ispra (JRC) apply coefficients close to or slightly below 100. Travel allowances exist for staff posted away from their country of origin.
Required qualifications and background
Most AD5 environment positions require a 3-year bachelor's degree in environmental sciences, ecology, biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, climate sciences, environmental law, or a related field. AD7+ positions typically require a master's plus 4–6 years of relevant experience — often including time at a national environment ministry, environment agency, environmental consultancy, or research institute. Risk assessors at ECHA require deep training in toxicology, ecotoxicology, exposure assessment, or chemical regulatory science. Climate-policy specialists benefit from prior work on national climate strategies, UN climate-negotiation teams, or major industry decarbonisation projects. Environmental scientists at EEA benefit from prior experience with European-scale environmental data (Copernicus, INSPIRE, Reportnet). GIS skills (QGIS, ArcGIS), Python/R for environmental analytics, and familiarity with Copernicus Climate Change and Land Monitoring Services are increasingly important. Working English is essential; French and German are highly valuable in the environmental policy community; a third EU language is required for permanent statutory posts.
EU-specific context to be aware of
EU environmental policy operates through a uniquely dense regulatory architecture built over five decades. The European Green Deal (2019) is the overarching framework. The EU Climate Law (2021) sets binding 2030 and 2050 targets. The Fit for 55 Package (2021–2023) revised the EU ETS, introduced CBAM, reformed the Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Effort Sharing Regulation, LULUCF, the CO2 emission performance standards for cars, and ReFuelEU Aviation. The Circular Economy Action Plan reforms waste, packaging, batteries, and ecodesign. The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability shapes the reform of REACH. The Nature Restoration Regulation (2024) sets binding restoration targets. The Industrial Emissions Directive reform, the Soil Monitoring Law, and the new Drinking Water Directive add layers. Member-state implementation is monitored through Article 258 TFEU infringement procedures and reporting under the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet). Career mobility between DG ENV, DG CLIMA, EEA, ECHA, JRC, and national environment ministries is high; many senior environmental officials rotate through 3–5 institutions over a career.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications are needed for environment roles?
Most positions require a relevant degree (environmental sciences, ecology, biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, climate sciences, or environmental law). AD7+ positions need a master's plus 4–6 years of experience — often at a national environment ministry, environment agency, environmental consultancy, or research institute. ECHA risk assessors need toxicology, ecotoxicology, or chemical regulatory science training. GIS and Python/R skills are increasingly important. Working English is essential; French and German are highly valuable; a third EU language is required for permanent posts.
Which EU institutions hire environment professionals?
DG ENV (around 500 staff) and DG CLIMA (around 300 staff) at the Commission are the central employers. The European Environment Agency in Copenhagen employs around 220. ECHA in Helsinki employs around 600 working on chemicals. The JRC Ispra site is the largest concentration of environmental scientists. DG SANTE handles environment-health interfaces. EMSA in Lisbon handles marine pollution. CINEA manages the LIFE programme. The EIB Environmental and Social Office assesses project impacts.
What is the typical salary for environment roles at EU institutions?
AD5 around €5,000–5,700/month gross at step 1, AD7 €7,400–8,500, AD9 €9,500–10,500, AD12 €13,000–14,500. FG IV contract agents earn €4,200–6,800/month. Copenhagen and Helsinki apply higher correction coefficients than Brussels, reflecting cost of living. Standard EU expatriation, household, and education allowances apply, plus the favourable community tax.
Are environment roles available across all duty stations?
Brussels hosts DG ENV, DG CLIMA, and CINEA. Copenhagen hosts EEA. Helsinki hosts ECHA. JRC environmental research is concentrated in Ispra. EMSA is in Lisbon. The EIB is in Luxembourg. Most positions require relocation to the duty station, with 2–3 days of telework per week typical after onboarding. Field travel for environmental monitoring and inspection is common at EEA and ECHA.
Can non-EU citizens apply for environment positions?
Permanent statutory positions and most Temporary/Contract Agent posts at DG ENV, DG CLIMA, EEA, ECHA, JRC, EMSA, and CINEA require EU citizenship. The EEA can sometimes recruit non-EU experts through specific arrangements with EEA-cooperating countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). The EIB regularly hires non-EU citizens. The most realistic non-citizen paths involve EIB recruitment, EEA-cooperating-country arrangements, or pursuing EU citizenship through residency.