Trainee (Regulatory science communication and engagement)

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) offers a traineeship opportunity as Trainee (Regulatory science communication and engagement).

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 possess 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 Public and Stakeholders Engagement Department.

Specific objectives and projects

This traineeship is divided into two projects which aim to improve communication to the public of the science underpinning the regulation of key biological medicines. These are areas where public trust is needed for uptake and public health. The first part is to contribute to identifying and addressing concerns on vaccines, supporting EMA collaboration and engagement with stakeholders and addressing key issues through a multidisciplinary group across the Agency. The second project is to contribute to the review and update of EMA communication materials on biosimilar medicines.

1. Contribute to activities of the vaccines outreach group (VOG), including work related to the following deliverables:
   • Contributing to the preparation of VOG meetings and related outputs, including drafting meeting summaries.
   • Contributing to activities of the Expert Group on Vaccine Confidence, including preparation of relevant materials.
   • Preparing and reviewing communication materials (Vaccine Essentials) to address vaccine concerns and misinformation.
2. Contribute to the review and update of EMA information materials on biosimilar medicines, such as the guide for healthcare professionals: Biosimilars in the EU.

Learning outcomes

• How EMA communicates on regulatory science behind key biological medicines (biosimilars and vaccines) to ensure public understanding and trust.
• How EMA identifies and addresses concerns on vaccines.
• How EMA collaborates and engages with stakeholders on key sensitive public health issues.
• How key issues are addressed via multidisciplinary group cross Agency.

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 Pharmacy, medicine, or relevant public health related 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. 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

Excellent communication skills (written and oral); analytical skills; knowledge and/or experience on vaccine / biosimilar communication and engaging with patients/healthcare professionals on vaccines/vaccination/biosimilar medicines.

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.

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

  • internal mobility
  • mentoring
  • peer coaching
  • career reflection programme

• Work-life balance

  • flexible working arrangements
  • teleworking
  • generous annual leave plus official holidays