Trainee (Analysis of EU Strategic and legal provisions promoting Innovation in Pharma) - European Medicines Agency (Amsterdam)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Medicines Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Draft a review report on EU legislation and strategies promoting innovation in medicines development and regulation
• Provide an overview of initiatives on Innovation and Competitiveness in EU legislation, Regulation and Strategies
• Discuss with the EMRN and experts implications and translation into tangible, impactful and sustainable outcomes
• Engage with different stakeholders

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Relevant university degree (minimum three years or more) in biomedical sciences or medicine, obtained between 30 September 2025 and 30 September 2026, or currently enrolled as university student on Erasmus+ or similar programme, or PhD student, or Master's student with a previous fully finished degree in biomedical sciences or medicine
• Languages: English (C1), Other official EU language (B2)
• Key skills: Experience in scientific writing, Strong analytical and data visualization skills, Experience conducting literature reviews or policy analyses, Ability to synthesize and communicate complex scientific, regulatory, or legal information, Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, Working with others, Adaptability, Research and analytical skills, Learning and development
• Eligibility: Full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State or Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Assessments (remote) from mid-October 2026 to mid-November 2026
• Decision and offers by end of December 2026

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 10 months (1 March 2027 – 31 December 2027), full-time or part-time (80% or 50%).

Working arrangements: 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.

Hiring unit: Regulatory Science and Innovation Task Force.

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Trainee (Analysis of EU Strategic and legal provisions promoting Innovation in Pharma) at EMA based in Amsterdam (Traineeship).

Type of position:Trainee

Job Type:30 September 2026 23:59 CEST

Selection procedure reference: EMA/TR/11542

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 applicationsuntil 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 Regulatory Science and Innovation Task Force.

Specific objectives and projects

The project consists of drafting a review report on EU legislation (existing and upcoming) and strategies promoting or related to innovation in medicines development and regulation.

The aim of the project is to provide an overview of different initiatives on Innovation and Competitiveness in EU legislation, Regulation and Strategies and discuss with the EMRN and experts their implication and best translation into tangible, impactful and sustainable outcomes.

Learning outcomes

The trainee will acquire knowledge of:

- Activities of the European Medicines Agency and the European Medicines Regulatory Network focusing on early support to medicine development;

- Key steps in medicine development;

- Regulatory science;

- Evolving evidence generation methodologies and technologies.

Moreover, the trainee will have the opportunity to engage with different stakeholders and improve presentation and scientific writing skills.

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 relevant university degree (minimum of three years or more) in biomedical sciences or medicine, that must have been obtained between 30 September 2025 and 30 September 2026 orbe a university student on an Erasmus + or a similar programmeor 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 theCommon 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 thedisqualification from the procedure.

Additional skills

- Experience in scientific writing - Strong analytical and data visualization skills - Experience conducting literature reviews or policy analyses - Ability to synthesize and communicate complex scientific, regulatory, or legal information

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.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 August 2026, 48 days ago.

The application deadline is 30 September 2026, 9 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 18 September 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at EMA see the EMA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Amsterdam see our Amsterdam location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.