SNE/Scientific Specialist
Type of position: Seconded National Expert
Reference: EMA/SNE/11617
Job title: SNE/Scientific Specialist
Deadline for applications: 29 September 2026 at 23.59 CET
The European Medicines Agency is a decentralized body of the European Union with all its offices and Headquarters based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its core responsibility is the protection and promotion of public health through the evaluation and supervision of medicines.
We are looking for National experts on secondment. This means staff from other European public-sector bodies can work at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for short periods of time through the national expert on secondment (SNE) programme. The aim of this programme is to enhance and develop the relationship between European public administrations.
SNEs serve a dual role: they bring their expertise to EMA and take back to their home administration the knowledge acquired during their period of secondment. SNEs remain in the service of their employer. Secondment is not equivalent to employment, nor does it lead to employment by EMA. Periods of secondment may last between six months and two years. This is renewable once or more, up to a total of four years.
This announcement is governed by the Rules governing the secondment of national experts. For further information please visit our Careers portal.
About this position:
Join the European Medicines Agency as a Seconded National Expert in paediatric cardiology and cardiovascular medicines!
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a decentralised agency of the European Union based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. At the heart of Europe’s medicines regulatory system, EMA plays a key role in protection and promotion of human and animal health, by ensuring that safe, effective, and high‑quality medicines are available to patients across the EU through robust scientific evaluation and oversight.
EMA is seeking a highly motivated medical doctor with expertise in paediatric cardiology to join the Paediatric Office in the Human Medicines Division as a Seconded National Expert.
This is a unique opportunity to bring specialist clinical insight into the regulatory development and evaluation of medicines for children with cardiovascular conditions. The field is evolving rapidly, driven by advances in treatment, rare disease research, and innovative approaches to medicines development in paediatric cardiology.
You will contribute to the work EMA’s paediatric team and the Paediatric Committee (PDCO), including the assessment and management of Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs), modifications and waivers in paediatric cardiology and cardiovascular diseases.
Your expertise will also inform scientific advice, medicines evaluation, training and cross-agency discussions on development strategies, study design, extrapolation, clinical endpoints, benefit-risk considerations and unmet medical needs in children with cardiovascular conditions.
You will work in a multidisciplinary, international environment with EMA colleagues and experts from the European medicines regulatory network. You will also engage with patient organisations, academic experts, learned societies and medicine developers.
The role offers exposure to innovative therapies, advanced therapeutics, rare disease programmes and novel regulatory approaches shaping the future of paediatric cardiovascular care. You will also help strengthen knowledge across EMA and the wider network through training, knowledge-sharing and strategic initiatives.
For a clinician with an interest in regulatory science, this secondment is an opportunity to apply specialist expertise at European level, work at the interface of clinical practice, scientific innovation and medicines regulation, and help improve therapeutic options for children with cardiovascular diseases.
In this role you will:
- Provide clinical and scientific expertise in paediatric cardiology and cardiovascular diseases to support EMA activities across the medicine lifecycle.
- Support the Paediatric Office and PDCO in the scientific assessment and coordination of paediatric regulatory procedures, including Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs), PIP modifications and waivers in cardiovascular diseases
- Contribute to the scientific review of development strategies for paediatric cardiovascular medicines, including clinical study design, feasibility, age-appropriate development, endpoints, extrapolation, safety monitoring and benefit-risk considerations.
- Provide specialist input to EMA scientific advice, medicines evaluation and other development-support activities where paediatric cardiology and cardiovascular disease expertise is needed.
- Work with scientific committees, working parties, expert groups and cross-agency communities to strengthen EMA’s expertise in paediatric cardiovascular medicines.
- Support the development and delivery of training and knowledge-sharing activities for EMA staff and the European medicines regulatory network.
- Contribute to regulatory and scientific guidance, reflection papers, internal procedures or other knowledge-building activities where paediatric cardiology expertise is relevant.
- Engage with experts across the European medicines regulatory network and, where appropriate, with international regulatory partners, academia, patient organisations, learned societies and medicine developers on topics relevant to paediatric cardiovascular medicine development.
- Prepare and review high-quality scientific and regulatory documents for expert audiences, ensuring clarity, consistency and regulatory robustness.
- Respond to the requests for information received by EMA in the scientific field.
Apply if you meet these eligibility criteria:
- Enjoy full rights as a citizen of an EU Member State, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Republic of Moldova or Ukraine;
- Have a thorough knowledge of English (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the EU (at least level B2);
- Are currently employed in the public sector (such as a public intergovernmental organisation (IGO) national / regional /local public administration) in an EU Member State and are due to remain in such employment for the foreseen duration of the SNE position.
Essential requirements
Education
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;
Field of study
For this role, a degree in medicine is required. Specialist training and clinical qualification in paediatrics and advanced/completed training in paediatric cardiology is particularly relevant.
Experience
- 3 years from the time when a university degree was awarded on completion of a minimum of three years of study;
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Experience should include:
- Specialist training and clinical qualification in paediatrics and advanced/completed training in paediatric cardiology is particularly relevant.
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong clinical and scientific understanding of paediatric cardiology.
- Ability to critically review clinical development plans, study designs, endpoints, safety considerations and benefit-risk questions.
- Understanding of the challenges of medicine development in children, including age-appropriate study design, feasibility, extrapolation and unmet medical needs.
- Excellent analytical, drafting and communication skills.
- Ability to present complex scientific and clinical issues clearly to expert and non-specialist audiences.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and international environment.
- Proficiency in English (oral and in writing).
- Good working knowledge of standard office tools.
These are considered as nice to have:
Education
- Postgraduate qualification in clinical research, epidemiology, regulatory science, public health or a related discipline.
Field of study
- Scientific background relevant to perform the role.
Experience
Experience in one or more of the following would be an asset:
- congenital heart disease and/or rare cardiovascular diseases in children;
- paediatric clinical trial design, conduct or assessment;
- basic or clinical research
- medicine development in rare or complex paediatric cardiovascular conditions;
- assessment of clinical data for medicines, including benefit-risk assessment;
- work with national competent authorities, ethics committees, scientific societies, international networks or regulatory bodies;
- preparation or review of scientific advice, clinical guidelines, regulatory submissions or assessment reports;
- collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, regulators, statisticians, methodologists, patient representatives and industry stakeholders.
Skills & Knowledge
- Understanding of paediatric EU medicines regulation.
- Interest in regulatory science and in translating clinical expertise into public-health impact at European level.
Timelines
Deadline for applications 29 September 2026 at 23:59 CET
Interviews From 05 October 2026
Decision expected from 12 October 2026
Process
This post is published in line with Chapter II Art 4 of EMA/329753/2015 (European Medicines Agency Decision of 30 June 2015 laying down general implementing provisions on the procedure governing the engagement and use of temporary staff under Article 2(f) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union).
The process will follow Annex I of Guidance on Internal Talent Marketplace.
Only eligible candidates (see eligibility criteria (i.e. temporary staff 2(f) who, on the closing date for applications and on the day of filling the post, are engaged within the agency in the function group and grade belonging to the grade bracket indicated in the internal publication.) will be assessed further.
The assessment of qualifications and suitability will be based solely on the required competencies, skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience for the role as stated in the internal publication.
Shortlisting
Talent Acquisition may publish additional pre-screening questions but, normally, the initial assessment will be conducted based on the application form submitted for an opening, and all eligible staff will be invited for a follow up assessment
Assessments
The assessments will include at the very least interviews and, only in specific circumstances, a written test, to identify the most suitable candidate.
In case of Head of Service roles, personality assessment or assessment of managerial competencies via assessment centre will be conducted.
Job offers
This publication is intended to fill a specific vacancy(ies), therefore, as a result of the assessments, the Selection Committee will recommend to the Executive Director the best candidate for the appointment, plus it may recommend 2-3 alternates from among those were found qualified and suitable for the specific vacancy in question. An additional interview with the hiring entity may be arranged before the final decision to recruit the candidate. Alternate candidates may be offered a position in case the initially selected candidate cannot take up the offer or their employment is not confirmed after probation period, but they are not placed in any reserve list. Alternate candidates may be appointed to other similar vacant post based on Art 7 of Staff Regulations.
The selected candidate, as well as all alternates, will be informed accordingly of the result of the internal publication.
Conditions of employment
The selected member of temporary staff 2(f) shall be assigned to the new post by written decision of the Executive Director without impact on his/her current contract of employment with the agency.
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Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 - Email recruitment@ema.europa.eu
© European Medicines Agency, 2020. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
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