Trainee (Compliance with European Union Data Protection Regulation)

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 Data Analytics and Methods Task Force.

Specific objectives and projects

In line with the 2028 EMA strategic area objectives, the trainee will be engaged in the following project: “Enhancing Data Protection Compliance and Implementation at EMA”.

The project aims to further enhance the current data protection framework focusing on the following:

• Supporting the analysis and implementation of new guidelines of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) in particular in secondary use of personal (health) data and scientific research.
• Assisting in the preparation and follow-up of data protection audits in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725
• Drafting of recommendations resulting from the work of the EU Data Protection Officers (DPO) Network
• Supporting change management such as assisting the DPO in delivering targeted training at EMA.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this traineeship project will be: 

• Gain knowledge about the data protection requirements set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, the European Union Data Protection Regulation (EUDPR) 
• Comprehend the interplay between the AI Act and the EUDPR
• Be able to outline specific guidelines  that pertain to the use of personal data and how to ensure data protection compliance 
• Obtaining skills in analysing  legal requirements and understand how personal data (health) data can be further processed including for scientific research
• Be able to transpose guidelines and data protection measures into processes based on real-world scenarios 
• Continuous learning in data protection: capability to stay updated with the latest developments in data protection, and to adapt knowledge and skills accordingly. 

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 Law, Public Administration, Data Science or a university degree with clearly demonstrated credentials on the framework of personal data protection in the European Union (minimum of three years or more) that must have been obtained between 6 May 2024 and 6 May 2025 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

For criteria 1 and 2, you will be required to provide proof in the application form and at the interview stage. Failing to present these documents may result in the disqualification from the procedure.

Additional skills

• Knoweldge of European Union Data Protection legislation obtained in the course of university studies/traineehsip/working experience
• Knoweldge of  AI systems  and AI Act obtained in the course of university studies/traineehsip/working experience

Behavioural Competencies

You will demonstrate the following behavioural competencies:

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Working with others
• Adaptability
• Research and analytical skills

Expected selection timelines

Conditions of traineeship

The traineeship is offered for 10 months (1 October 2025 – 31 July 2026) 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 €1,942.19 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.

The conditions of employment are stated in the Executive Decision on rules governing the traineeship programme at the EMA available here.