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:

• Contribute to the development of European Research Area policies, in particular related to research careers and the European labour market for researchers
• Develop policies and initiatives that make research careers in Europe more attractive, sustainable, and competitive at all career stages
• Contribute to the implementation of the European framework for research careers and the new Charter for Researchers
• Contribute to the ERA Policy Agenda Structural Action on Research Careers by identifying, consulting, and involving relevant stakeholders in policy development and implementation
• Design measures that strengthen researchers' skills, career development opportunities, and working and employment conditions
• Promote researcher mobility and support a more open, integrated, and accessible European research labour market
• Support policies and initiatives that help Europe attract, develop, and retain international research talent
• Collaborate with higher education institutions, research organisations, Member States, and other stakeholders on research career policies

Are you eligible?

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

• Languages: English
• Key skills: Knowledge and understanding of EU research and innovation policy and work programmes, Strong coordination skills, Good understanding of research careers, the ERA, Horizon Europe and higher education policy, Strong analytical, drafting and briefing skills, Experience in dealing with stakeholders, Service-oriented attitude, Problem-solving mindset, Clear and structured communication, both orally and in writing, in particular in English, Ability to familiarise quickly with relevant IT applications and procedures, Ability to train and guide other team members and colleagues

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: maximum 6 years.

Working arrangements: possibility of teleworking.

Hiring unit: Unit A.2 - ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, DG RTD, Brussels.

Position details

Reference

EC/2026/RTD/498516

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/498516. 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/498516 )

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/498516 )

# Policy Officer

# in DG RTD - European Commission

Job title: Policy Officer

Domain: Science and Research

Where : Unit A.2 - ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, Brussels

Function Group : FG IV

Contract Type : 3b

Express your interest until : 16.08.2026 - 12.00 (noon, Brussels time)

WE ARE

The objective of the unit RTD.A2 - ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers is to bring

together the actors (Commission, Member States, stakeholders and associated countries) and

policies that contribute to establishing a single market for knowledge, allowing for the free flow of

researchers, data and ideas, encouraging national investments and addressing the R&I disparities

among EU countries. The unit is organised in three teams covering European Research Area (ERA),

research careers and spreading excellence (widening).

The ERA team is responsible for ERA Governance (the ERA Forum, ERAC and the ERA Monitoring

Mechanism) and the design and implementation of the ERA policy agenda in order to deliver on the

four objectives of the new ERA: prioritising investments and reforms, improving access to

excellence, translating R&I results into the economy and deepening the ERA.

The Research Careers team works to make research careers in Europe attractive and sustainable at

every stage, from early inspiration in schools to retirement. It develops policies and practical

initiatives for researchers, the institutions that hire and support them, and national policymakers.

Its work strengthens researchers’ skills, working and employment conditions, career development,

and mobility across the European Union, while helping Europe attract and retain research talent

from around the world.

The unit is also responsible for promoting the Spreading of Excellence and coordinating the

preparation and implementation of the work programme on “Widening participation and

strengthening the European Research Area” (WIDERA).

WE PROPOSE

Unit RTD.A2 - ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers is seeking to hire one policy officer working on ERA policies and programmes with a focus on research careers, an interesting and challenging position with the following main tasks:

• Contribute to the development of European Research Area policies, in particular related to research careers and the European labour market for researchers. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/498516 )

> •

Develop policies and initiatives that make research careers in Europe more attractive, sustainable, and competitive at all career stages.

> •

Contribute to the implementation of the European framework for research careers and the new Charter for Researchers.

> •

Contribute to the ERA Policy Agenda Structural Action on Research Careers by identifying, consulting, and involving relevant stakeholders in policy development and implementation.

> •

Design measures that strengthen researchers’ skills, career development opportunities, and working and employment conditions.

> •

Promote researcher mobility and support a more open, integrated, and accessible European research labour market.

> •

Support policies and initiatives that help Europe attract, develop, and retain international research talent.

> •

Collaborate with higher education institutions, research organisations, Member States, and other stakeholders on research career policies.

> •

Contribute to stronger synergies between the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area.

> •

Monitor, analyse, and assess policy developments and activities relevant to researchers and research-performing organisations.

> •

Engage and coordinate with the other Commission services concerned, as well as the Research Executive Agency;

> •

Organise meetings and workshops with relevant actors, such as Member States, stakeholders and external experts;

> •

Provide strategic advice and prepare policy papers, technical documents, briefings, reports, and presentations for the Commissioner and senior management;

> •

Represent the Commission and Directorate-General in external and internal events and fora.

The colleague we recruit will also have the possibility to work on other files of the Research Careers team and ERA team, depending on their interests and competencies.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a committed and motivated colleague with knowledge and understanding of EU

research and innovation policy and work programmes. Strong coordination skills, a good

understanding of research careers, the ERA, Horizon Europe and higher education policy, strong

analytical, drafting and briefing skills, and experience in dealing with stakeholders are essential.

The candidate should also have a service-oriented attitude and a problem-solving mindset. You

should be able to:

> •

communicate in a clear and structured way, both orally and in writing, in particular in

English;

> •

familiarise yourself quickly with the relevant IT applications and procedures;

> •

train and guide other team members and colleagues involved in the work programme

tasks;

> •

work effectively with colleagues across the organisation and at all levels;

> •

demonstrate sound judgement and an ability to identify potential issues and to propose

solutions. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/498516 )

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/498516 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/498516 )

# ANNEX

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 7 July 2026, 19 days ago.

The application deadline is 16 August 2026, 19 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.