Trainee (Non-clinical & 3Rs expertise & knowledge & information across EMA and its Network)

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 Scientific Evidence Generation Department.

Specific objectives and projects

This traineeship will offer the successful candidate with the opportunity to strengthen non-clinical and 3Rs knowledge and expertise in EMA and enhance our ability to support the EU regulatory network in this scientific discipline. 

The trainee will: 

• Assess non-clinical and 3Rs-related activities across the agency, including the relevant expertise involved. This will involve conducting interviews with different departments to gather necessary information.
• Create a mapping outlining current activities and resources to outline the existing connections within the agency.
• Identify knowledge gaps and training needs, and formulate a strategy to enhance communication and foster knowledge sharing among various offices.
• Deliver a report on lessons learned and outcome of the analysis, with the aim to inform upskilling needs of EMA staff members and any gaps or updates to address in the non-clinical curriculum in the EU-NTC.

Learning outcomes

The trainee is expected to: 

• Gain an in-depth understanding of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) approach to assessment of the non-clinical dossier submitted by pharmaceutical companies when they seek marketing authorisation for their medicinal products.
• Develop expertise in designing, implementing, and analyzing non-clinical studies, including those that are new approach methodologies (NAMs) in support of 3Rs (reduction, refinement, replacement of animal testing).
• Become familiar with regulatory requirements, agency processes, and regulatory practices related to medicinal products.

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 non-clinical pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacy, biomedical sciences or any of the other life sciences 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

• Analytical skills, communication skills, good understanding of non-clinical pharmacology, toxicology.
• Understanding of and/or experience in 3Rs are considered beneficial.

Behavioural Competencies

You will demonstrate the following behavioural competencies:

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

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.