Policy Analyst - European Commission (FGIV, Brussels)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Commission 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:

• Design and perform Horizon Europe evaluations and impact assessments
• Monitor the performance of EU R&I programmes by analysing progress towards objectives
• Explore new methodologies and indicators to analyse impact of R&I Framework Programmes
• Coordinate the monitoring, evaluation and analysis virtual entity (MEAVE)
• Steer and support Commission services in assessing impacts of legislation on innovation
• Promote regulatory learning and regulatory experimentation tools
• Represent DG in interinstitutional negotiations on Multiannual Financial Framework
• Design and implement strategic analysis of public support to research and innovation

Are you eligible?

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

• Experience: Experience with research and innovation projects, developing and implementing monitoring systems and indicators, and use of data analysis tools for large databases (including AI-based methods) is an asset
• Key skills: Analytical background, Expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis using statistical software, Experience working with IT teams on definitions and technical requirements, Analytical, drafting and communication skills, Ability to analyse and present complex policy analyses clearly, Team player and positive working environment fostering, Proactive and autonomous work, Cooperation promotion with other units, DGs and external interlocutors, Data-driven science communication
• Eligibility: Must be a citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen; must have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Register in EPSO CAST Permanent database if not already registered
• Submit CV and completed application form as single PDF to [email protected]

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Fixed-term contract (maximum 6 years in any EU Institution).

Hiring unit: Unit RTD.G.2 – Common Programme Analysis & Regulatory Reform, DG RTD, Brussels.

Position details

Reference

EC/2026/RTD/505584

Directorate-General

RTD - Research and Innovation

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

24 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Policy Analyst at European Commission based in Brussels at the FGIV grade level (Contract Agent). The vacancy reference is EC/2026/RTD/505584. It is hosted by RTD - Research and Innovation, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Science And Research domain.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Do you want to help shape the future of the European Union? Make the planet greener, promote a fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU? Then come and work for the European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Different nationalities, backgrounds, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and inclusive place to work.

WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interesting and challenging positions with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring new skills and competencies throughout your whole career

• Opportunities to move between different policy areas throughout your career

• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we care about your work-life balance

• A competitive financial package, including comprehensive healthcare, accident and pension schemes

• A multilingual, multicultural workplace where personal and career development are strongly promoted

• Multilingual schools for your children

We recruit from a wide range of backgrounds and actively promote diversity and inclusion:

We do not only recruit political scientists and lawyers but are also looking for all kinds of profiles, including scientists, linguists, IT experts, data analysts and economists, as well as drivers and engineers.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to fostering a rich, diverse and inclusive working environment. We aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We actively seek to create a workplace where each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full potential. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/505584)

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates, we strongly encourage applicants from Member States which are currently underrepresented in the European Commission workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden 1. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the merits of all applicants and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.

STAFF RECRUITED ON CONTRACTS

In addition to permanent officials, the European Commission offers non-permanent positions. There are two categories of non-permanent staff:

> •

temporary agents are recruited to fill vacant positions for a set amount of time or

to perform highly specialised tasks.

> •

contract agents may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an

insufficient number of officials is available or carry out a number of administrative or manual tasks. They are generally recruited for fixed-term contracts (maximum 6 years in any EU Institution), but in some cases they can be offered contracts for an indefinite duration (in offices, agencies, delegations or representations).

For more information on different staff categories

> 1Please note that the list of underrepresented Member States may be subject to future amendment based on potential data changes over time.

(Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/505584)

# Policy Analyst

# in DG RTD - European Commission

Job title: Policy Analyst

Domain: Science and research

Where : Unit RTD.G.2 – “Common Programme Analysis & Regulatory Reform”, Brussels

Function Group : FG IV

Contract Type : CA 3b

Express your interest until : 09.08.2026- 12.00 (noon, Brussels time)

WE ARE

A policy-relevant and stimulating team that drives the strategic analysis of the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (R&I) – Horizon Europe – and supports the development of innovation-friendly legislation. We design the Framework Programme's impact assessments and evaluations, in line with the Commission's Better Regulation approach, and we draft the resulting Staff Working Documents and Commission Communications in cooperation with other Commission services. We also represent our DG in interinstitutional negotiations on the European Competitiveness Fund and the Budget Performance Framework.

We are a friendly and motivated team, which empowers its members. In particular, we:

# • design and perform Horizon Europe evaluations and impact assessments;

# • monitor the performance of EU R&I programmes by analysing the progress made towards achieving their objectives;

# • explore the use of new methodologies and indicators to analyse the impact of the R&I Framework Programmes;

# • coordinate the monitoring, evaluation and analysis virtual entity (MEAVE), where Commission services gather to develop analytical approaches to research and innovation policy;

# • steer and support Commission services in assessing the impacts of legislation on innovation;

# • promote regulatory learning and regulatory experimentation tools such as sandboxes

# • represent our DG in interinstitutional negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/505584)

WE PROPOSE

A challenging, rewarding and visible position as a policy analyst in the area of research and innovation, with the overall aim of achieving a better evidence-based European research policy. The position has a strong analytical, policy and coordination dimension.

In particular, the colleague will work to design and implement the strategic analysis of public

support to research and innovation along the full policy cycle, from impact assessments to evaluations and monitoring activities. They will also analyse the larger policy context in which the research and innovation programme operates.

The colleague will support the completion of the performance indicator framework of Horizon

Europe, the “Key Impact Pathways”. They will help define the requirements for data collection and processing, working closely with data teams, policy units and external experts.

The colleague will also use programme monitoring tools and other info sources to prepare

quantitative and qualitative policy analyses, studies and reports supporting the design, monitoring and evaluation of EU research and innovation policies. The analysis will be tailored to both internal and external audiences, helping to improve understanding of EU research and innovation programmes and to communicate the impact of EU-funded R&I on science, society, and the economy.

Finally, the new colleague will need to collaborate and facilitate work with key units from our

Directorate-General and Executive Agencies to ensure that the setup of IT data tools take into account business needs and that our programme monitoring framework effectively feeds back to policy and programme design.

The new colleague will have the opportunity to publish their analyses on our website and present

their work at conferences, workshops and interinstitutional meetings.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a dynamic and proactive colleague with an analytical background who:

• has an interest in evidence-based research and innovation programming and policy;

• has good general knowledge of EU research and innovation policy and Better Regulation;

• has an interest in data-driven science communication;

• has expertise in performing quantitative and qualitative data analysis using statistical software;

• has experience in working with IT teams, in particular to set definitions and technical requirements;

• has good analytical, drafting and communication skills;

• can analyse and present complex policy analyses in a clear way and can propose solutions moving forward and implement them;

• is a good team player and fosters a positive working environment; (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/505584)

• can swiftly integrate into the team and work in a proactive and autonomous way;

• can promote cooperation with other units and DGs and with external interlocutors.

Previous experience with research and innovation projects, developing and implementing monitoring systems and indicators, and use of data analysis tools for large databases (including AI-based methods) is an asset.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

With a view to guaranteeing equal access to all, the Commission recruits from an open database of spontaneous applications. The present call for interests aims at helping the recruiters to identify potentially interested candidates within this database.

In practice, to express your interest, please follow the subsequent two steps:

1. If you are not registered yet in the open EPSO database, please do so at the following address: CAST Permanent . Please select under selection procedures for contract agent the

CAST permanent profile that best suits your education and experience.

2. You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order:

1. your CV 2. completed application form.

Please send these documents to [email protected] by the

publication deadline indicating the call for interest reference EC/2026/RTD/505584 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/505584)

# ANNEX

# 1. Selection

 Am I eligible to apply?

You must meet the following eligibility criteria when you validate your application :

Our rules provide that you can only be recruited as a contract agent at the European Commission if you:

General criteria:

• Are a citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen;

• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service;

• Are physically f

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at FGIV runs from €4,449 (step 1) to €5,034 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €53,388 to €60,408 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €712 per month at step 1 of FGIV) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Brussels. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 July 2026, 24 days ago.

The application deadline is 9 August 2026, 12 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 24 July 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at FGIV see our FGIV grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at European Commission see the European Commission institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Brussels see our Brussels location page; for related vacancies in the Science And Research field browse our Science And Research domain 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.