Trainee (Improving the availability of information on the medicines for older people)

This traineeship placement is for a Trainee (Improving the availability of information on the medicines for older people) within the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Amsterdam.

Traineeship in the Therapeutic Areas Department (Geriatric medicines strategy)

We are looking for a trainee in the Therapeutic Areas Department.

Specific objectives and projects

1) Building a Geriatric network database

Older people (≥65 years) represent an increasing share of the European population and are expected to make up around 30% of all Europeans by 2050. One of the main pillars of the EMA Geriatric Medicines Strategy is to ensure that medicines used by geriatric patients are of high quality and appropriately researched and evaluated throughout the lifecycle of the product for use in this population. This reflects the EMA Mission Statement, the EU Clinical Trials Regulation and ICH E7 and its Q&A guidelines.

However, the underrepresentation of older people in clinical trials for diseases that frequently occur in older age remains a recognised global issue. Various barriers contribute to this situation (as explored in the EU-funded PREDICT trial – Participation of the Elderly in Clinical Trials). Some barriers from the developers’ side, such as the need for geriatric expertise and considerations related to safety and trial design complexity, could be mitigated if a searchable database were available to identify institutions with geriatric expertise. A searchable expertise database already exists for paediatric drug development and is actively used (Enpr-EMA). A similar list of geriatric institutions could facilitate research and development by connecting geriatricians, patient organisations, research networks, investigators and centres with geriatric expertise.

2) Analysis of centrally authorised medicines for diseases highly prevalent in older age

a) Analysis of risk management plans (RMPs)

Risk management plans will be analysed to explore which of them specify the older population in safety concerns (e.g. important identified risks, potential risks or missing information). The analysis will also assess whether these RMPs include post-authorisation studies specifically addressing older patients. These results will be compared with the information available in European public assessment reports and in the product information.

b) Analysis of dosing information (as reflected in product information)

The analysis will assess what information is included in the “Special populations” subsection regarding the need for dose adjustments in older patients. This will be reviewed case by case in the context of relevant discussions in European public assessment reports and relevant EMA and scientific society guidelines.

Learning outcomes

Through this work, the trainee will:

• gain experience in working on multidisciplinary projects;
• develop practical skills in analysing regulatory and clinical safety data, identifying trends and contributing to evidence-based decision-making;
• work in an international environment, collaborating with experts across regulatory and scientific fields;
• become familiar with Agency processes and regulatory practices related to the geriatric medicines strategy;
• develop skills in qualitative analysis, communication and project management;
• contribute to work that may support scientific publication(s).

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 university degree in medicine, pharmacy or life science (minimum of three years or more) that must have been obtained between 6 May 2025 and 6 May 2026 or be a university student on an Erasmus + or a similar programme or 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 the Common European Framework for Languages.

Additional skills

Analytical skills, communication skills, proficient in using IT applications.
Considered beneficial: scientific writing, understanding of clinical safety, pharmacology, geriatric population specifics, pharmacovigilance, European public assessment reports (including Assessment reports, Product information, Risk management plans).

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 October 2026 – 31 July 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.

What we offer

• Meaningful work contributing to protecting the health of every individual and animal in Europe within multinational, multidisciplinary team
• Development opportunities (e.g. internal mobility, mentoring, peer coaching, career reflection programme, etc.)
• Work-life balance (flexible working arrangements, teleworking, generous annual leave plus official holidays)