Trainee (Talent Development and Learning Innovation)

At the European Medicines Agency (EMA), this traineeship offers the opportunity to gain experience and contribute to the Agency’s work for every patient in Europe.

Traineeship: Talent Development and Learning Innovation

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU), located in Amsterdam. It is responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU.

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 posses a previous degree), 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 Talent Development Office.

Specific objectives and projects

HR Strategy & Digital Learning Innovation Project

The trainee will support a dedicated project focusing on the development and enhancement of digital learning solutions within the Talent Development framework. Key activities include:

• Mapping existing learning programmes and identifying opportunities for digitalisation
• Supporting the design of innovative learning formats (blended learning, microlearning, digital workshops)
• Researching and benchmarking new learning technologies and tools relevant to HR and talent development
• Assisting in the development of pilot initiatives for digital or AI-supported learning solutions
• Supporting internal communication and documentation related to learning initiatives

Learning outcomes

By the end of the traineeship, the trainee will:

• Gain practical experience in HR strategy and talent development planning
• Develop skills in learning design, digital learning tools, and programme coordination
• Apply academic knowledge to real organisational challenges
• Strengthen analytical, research, and stakeholder collaboration skills
• Build confidence working in a professional, multicultural environment

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 (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. Have 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

• Interest in human resources, talent development and learning innovation
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Good communication and collaboration skills

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.

Who we are?

Serving a population of 500 million citizens, we promote and protect public animal health in EU Member States, as well as the countries of the European Economic Area, by ensuring that all medicines available on the EU market are safe, effective and of high quality.

What do 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)

Email recruitment@ema.europa.eu