The European Medicines Agency operates a trainee programme. The programme gives trainees an understanding of the Agency and its role within the activities of the European Union (EU) and provides professional experience in a working environment.
Eligibility
The trainee programme is aimed at university graduates and at people at the beginning of a new professional career.
Successful candidates will typically have a background relating to the activities of the Agency, such as: pharmacy; medicine; life sciences; healthcare; chemistry; information technology.
The Agency also welcomes applications from qualified lawyers with an interest in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and recently qualified candidates with an interest in human resources, budget and accounts. Candidates with a background in communications, public relations or the web can also apply, as well as people with a background in library and information science.
Trainees must be nationals of an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or of a candidate country benefiting from a pre-accession strategy. Croatian nationals are eligible to apply as of 1 January 2013.
Minimum requirements
Possession of a university degree or equivalent at the time of applying. A good command of English and one or more other official EU languages.
Application process
The Agency receives around 1400 traineeship applications per year. Around 40 candidates are offered a placement.
Unfortunately, the Agency is unable to reply to unsuccessful candidates. Unsuccessful candidates can apply again in the future by completing a new application form.
The application process for the 2013 traineeship intake is now open:
Application form - European Medicines Agency traineeship programme 2013
Timing
There is one traineeship intake per year starting in October. Earlier or later start dates are not possible. Placements are for between six and nine months.
Procedure Timing
Deadline for receipt of application forms: 15 June 2013
Sending of acknowledgement of receipt: Usually within two weeks
Telephone contact with candidates: July-September 2013
Contract issued: By end of August 2013
Training grant
The Agency pays a maintenance grant of £1350 net per month.
It also pays a travel allowance to compensate for moving and other costs at the start and end of the traineeship.
Fonte:
EMA