Selection procedure reference: EMA/TR/11395
Deadline for applications: 06 May 2026 23:59 CET
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU), located in Amsterdam. It began operating in 1995. It is responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU.
This traineeship opportunity is now open for applications until 06 May 2026 23:59 CET, with an intake on 1 October 2026.
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 Veterinary Pharmaceuticals Office.
Specific objectives and projects
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are legally binding limits of residues of pharmacologically active substances that can be present in human food following their use in agriculture. They are set at levels that ensure consumer safety and play an important role in determining the acceptability of imported food. The EMA undertakes the scientific evaluation required for the establishment of MRLs for veterinary drugs while EFSA does the same for pesticides. Some active substances are used in both veterinary drugs and in pesticides and, for some of these, different MRLs have been established for the veterinary drug and pesticide, potentially causing difficulties for authorities responsible for monitoring residue levels. In this traineeship you will undertake a scientific analysis of these dual use substances and consider how divergent MRLs could be harmonised and what the impacts of such harmonisation might be.
Learning outcomes
You will become familiar with the scientific analyses undertaken in order to establish MRLs, focusing particularly on the use of toxicology and residue depletion data to ensure consumer safety. You will learn about procedures, processes and methodologies used by the EMA and EFSA; you will see some of these in action and possibly contribute to them. You will gain experience of reviewing and understanding regulatory reports and take responsibility for a comparative analysis of substances evaluated by both of these leading scientific authorities. You will gain experience in presenting your analyses and proposals to scientific colleagues.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for consideration for this placement, you are required to:
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enjoy full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State or Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway;
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possess a university degree in veterinary medicine or life sciences (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.
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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
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Experience of reviewing scientific reports
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Experience of writing scientific reports
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Good communication skills
Behavioural Competencies
You will demonstrate the following behavioural competencies:
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.
The conditions of employment are stated in the Executive Decision on rules governing the traineeship programme at the EMA available here .
Expected selection timelines
Deadline for applications
06 May 2026 23:59 CET
Assessments (remote)
From mid-June 2026 to mid-July 2026
Decision and offers
By end of July 2026
Placement start
1 October 2026
Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 - Email recruitment@ema.europa.eu
© European Medicines Agency, 2024. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.