Science And Research Jobs

5 positions at EU institutions

Science and research roles inside the European Union institutions cover the scientific arm of EU policy: the in-house research at the [Joint Research Centre (JRC)](/institutions/jrc/), the scientific committees of the regulatory agencies ([EMA](/institutions/ema/), [EFSA](/institutions/efsa/), [ECHA](/institutions/echa/), [ECDC](/institutions/ema/)), the research-funding management at the [European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA)](/institutions/ercea/) and HADEA, REA, the European Innovation Council, and the EU's scientific advisory architecture under the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. The EU funds research at a scale comparable to a mid-sized national research budget (Horizon Europe is €95.5 billion 2021 to 2027), and the institutions employ thousands of scientists, research engineers, and research administrators. If you're a researcher, a research engineer, a science-policy specialist, or a research-funding manager, the EU institutions offer a substantial career path.

5 positions found

From the EU Jobs Alert guide How to land a job at the EU institutions A walkthrough of EPSO competitions, agency calls, and contract roles, written by our editor. Read the guide →
From the EU Jobs Alert guide How to land a job at the EU institutions A walkthrough of EPSO competitions, agency calls, and contract roles, written by our editor. Read the guide →

About Science And Research careers at EU institutions

Typical roles in science and research

The largest hiring categories include researchers at the [Joint Research Centre (JRC)](/institutions/jrc/) across its six sites (Ispra, Seville, Karlsruhe, Petten, Geel, Brussels) covering climate, energy, transport, health, food, agriculture, security, digital, nuclear, and economic research; scientific officers at the regulatory agencies ([EMA](/institutions/ema/), [EFSA](/institutions/efsa/), [ECHA](/institutions/echa/), [ECDC](/institutions/ema/)) conducting risk assessment and scientific opinion-drafting; research-funding programme managers at the [European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA)](/institutions/ercea/) managing the ERC's frontier-research grants (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, Synergy, Proof of Concept), at the [Research Executive Agency (REA)](/institutions/ec/) managing Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and other Horizon Europe pillars, at [HADEA](/institutions/ec/) managing Health Cluster, and at [CINEA](/institutions/ec/); science-policy officers at the Commission's [DG RTD](/institutions/ec/); and innovation specialists at the European Innovation Council (EIC) and at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology ([EIT](/institutions/eit/)). Specialised tracks include nuclear-research engineers at JRC Petten and JRC Karlsruhe, climate scientists at JRC Ispra, and computational-social-science researchers at JRC Seville.

Top hiring institutions for science and research

The [Joint Research Centre (JRC)](/institutions/jrc/) is the largest single employer of scientists in the EU institutional family with around 2,800 staff across six sites. The [European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA)](/institutions/ercea/) employs around 600 staff managing the ERC's frontier-research grants. The [Research Executive Agency (REA)](/institutions/ec/) employs around 850 staff. [HADEA](/institutions/ec/) and [CINEA](/institutions/ec/) employ several hundred staff each managing thematic Horizon Europe clusters. The [European Innovation Council](/institutions/ec/) (EIC) funds breakthrough innovation. The [European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)](/institutions/eit/) in Budapest funds Knowledge and Innovation Communities. The regulatory agencies ([EMA](/institutions/ema/), [EFSA](/institutions/efsa/), [ECHA](/institutions/echa/), [ECDC](/institutions/ema/)) employ thousands of scientific officers conducting risk assessment. The Commission's [DG RTD](/institutions/ec/) is the main science-policy maker. The European Investment Bank's Innovation Finance Advisory provides advice on financing R&I. [Innovative Health Initiative](/institutions/ihi/) and other joint undertakings fund public-private research partnerships.

Salary expectations for science and research

Standard EU staff scales apply at JRC, ERCEA, REA, HADEA, CINEA, the regulatory agencies, EIT, and DG RTD. AD5 entry-level researchers and scientific officers earn around €5,000 to 5,700 per month gross at step 1. AD7 senior researchers, senior scientific officers, and senior project officers earn €7,400 to 8,500. AD9 principal researchers, senior research-team leads, and senior scientific specialists earn €9,500 to 10,500. AD12 heads of unit at JRC, regulatory agencies, or research-funding agencies reach €13,000 to 14,500. AD14 directors earn €15,500 to 17,500. Function Group IV (FG IV) Contract Agents working as researchers or project officers typically earn €4,200 to 6,800/month. JRC researchers with strong publication records can often negotiate AD9 entry. Standard EU benefits (expatriation allowance (16%), household and education allowances, EU community tax) apply. Correction coefficients adjust pay across JRC sites: Ispra (slightly below 100), Seville (below 100), Karlsruhe (close to 100), Petten (close to 100), Geel (close to 100).

Required qualifications and background

Most science and research positions require a PhD or equivalent research training. AD5 entry-level scientific officers at regulatory agencies usually require a master's; AD7+ usually a PhD plus 4 to 8 years of post-doctoral research experience. JRC research positions almost always require a PhD plus a strong publication track record. ERCEA programme officers typically require a PhD plus prior research experience to understand the cutting-edge research they evaluate. REA programme officers benefit from PhD and prior research experience but can also come from research-management backgrounds. Specific specialised technical skills are essential, for nuclear research at JRC Petten and Karlsruhe, recognised nuclear training; for climate science, modelling experience with major climate models; for risk assessment at EMA, EFSA, ECHA, ECDC, relevant regulatory science training. Working English is essential; French and German are valuable; a third EU language is required for permanent statutory posts. EU SECRET clearance is required for nuclear-research positions and some defence-research roles.

EU-specific context to be aware of

EU research operates through several distinctive instruments. Horizon Europe (€95.5 billion 2021 to 2027) is the EU's flagship R&I framework programme, structured in three pillars: Excellent Science (ERC, MSCA, research infrastructures), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness (six clusters), and Innovative Europe (EIC, European innovation ecosystems, EIT). The Horizon Europe Strategic Plan sets multi-annual research priorities. The Euratom Research and Training Programme funds nuclear research. The Joint Research Centre operates as the Commission's in-house science service providing evidence-based support to EU policy. Regulatory agencies' scientific committees produce risk assessments that underpin EU regulatory decisions on medicines, food, chemicals, and infectious diseases. The European Research Council is the EU's frontier-research funder modelled on national-science-foundation excellence funding. The European Innovation Council funds breakthrough innovation through grants and equity investments. Open Science principles (open access, open data, FAIR principles) are mainstreamed across Horizon Europe. Career mobility between JRC, regulatory agencies, research-funding agencies, DG RTD, and national research systems is common.

Frequently asked questions

What qualifications are needed for science and research roles?

A PhD or equivalent research training for most positions. AD5 entry-level scientific officers at regulatory agencies usually require a master's; AD7+ positions usually require a PhD plus 4 to 8 years of post-doctoral research experience. JRC research positions almost always require a PhD plus a strong publication track record. ERCEA programme officers typically require a PhD. Specific specialised technical skills are essential. Working English is essential; French and German are valuable; a third EU language is required for permanent posts.

Which EU institutions hire science and research professionals?

The JRC is the largest employer with around 2,800 staff across six sites. ERCEA (around 600 staff) manages the ERC. REA (around 850 staff) manages Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and other Horizon Europe pillars. HADEA, CINEA, EIC, and EIT manage other parts of Horizon Europe. Regulatory agencies (EMA, EFSA, ECHA, ECDC) employ thousands of scientific officers. DG RTD is the main science-policy maker. Joint Undertakings (IHI, others) fund public-private research.

What is the typical salary for science and research roles at EU institutions?

AD5 around €5,000 to 5,700/month gross at step 1, AD7 €7,400 to 8,500, AD9 €9,500 to 10,500, AD12 €13,000 to 14,500, AD14 directors €15,500 to 17,500. FG IV contract agents earn €4,200 to 6,800/month. JRC researchers with strong publications can often negotiate AD9 entry. Correction coefficients adjust pay across JRC sites (Ispra, Seville, Karlsruhe, Petten, Geel).

Are science and research roles available across all duty stations?

JRC operates at six sites: Ispra (Italy), Seville (Spain), Karlsruhe (Germany), Petten (Netherlands), Geel (Belgium), and Brussels. ERCEA, REA, HADEA, CINEA, and DG RTD are in Brussels. EMA is in Amsterdam, EFSA in Parma, ECHA in Helsinki, ECDC in Stockholm. EIT is in Budapest. EIC is in Brussels. Most positions require relocation to the duty station.

Can non-EU citizens apply for science and research positions?

Permanent statutory positions and most Temporary/Contract Agent posts require EU citizenship. The JRC can sometimes recruit non-EU researchers through specific arrangements (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions cofunding, visiting-scientist agreements). Some research roles at regulatory agencies can be filled by non-EU experts as advisors to scientific committees. The most realistic non-citizen paths involve MSCA cofunding, visiting-scientist arrangements at the JRC, or pursuing EU citizenship through residency.

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