Trainee (Developing EMA's podcast series)

European Medicines Agency; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Medicines Agency in Amsterdam is seeking a trainee for the Media and Public Relations Department. You will support the development of a podcast series on medicines and public health, with a focus on making complex topics accessible to younger audiences and the public.

You will gain hands-on experience in podcast production, research, and communications, with opportunities to collaborate across the department and participate in the ongoing development of the podcast series.

Qualifications

• Relevant university degree in journalism, communication or related field with a timeframe between 30 September 2025 and 30 September 2026, or a student on Erasmus+ or similar programme.
• Thorough knowledge of English (C1) and good knowledge of another official EU language (at least B2).
• Citizenship in an EU member state or Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Responsibilities

• Support development of EMA podcast series and make topics accessible for broad audiences.
• Assist in research, briefing materials, and QA for episodes.
• Contribute to promotion, planning, and evaluation of podcast topics.

Skills

Journalism

Science communication

Communication

Public health awareness

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or communication

Tools

Audiovisual production tools

Job description

Type of position: Trainee

Job Type: 30 September 2026 23:59 CEST

Selection procedure reference: EMA/TR/11610

Deadline for applications: 30 September 2026 23:59 CEST

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 30 September 2026 23:59 CEST, with an intake on 1 March 2027.

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 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 Media and Public Relations Department.

Specific objectives and projects

Medicines and public health can have a direct impact on people's lives, yet these topics are often complex and not always easy to understand. EMA's podcast series aims to make information accessible, engaging and relevant to a wide audience, particularly younger people.

As a trainee, you will support the further development of a podcast series that explores topics related to medicines, healthcare and public health in Europe. You will contribute to making scientific and regulatory topics more understandable and engaging for different audiences.

What You Will Do

You will work as part of a communication team and gain hands-on experience in podcasting and other aspects of communication. Your tasks may include:

• Identifying and researching podcast topics that are timely, relevant and interesting to different audiences, with a particular focus on younger listeners.
• Monitoring trends in media, social media and public discussions to help identify emerging topics and opportunities for future episodes.
• Contributing to the planning and development of podcast episodes, including background research and preparation of briefing materials.
• Supporting the podcast technical pre-and post-production activities, including editing and quality assurance.
• Supporting the promotion of podcast episodes, working across the Communications Department.
• Preparing summaries, reports and recommendations to support the evaluation and future development of the podcast series.
• Collaborating with colleagues from different professional backgrounds, including communication, science and public engagement.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of the podcast series and related communication activities.

Learning outcomes

This traineeship offers an opportunity to develop skills in podcast production, audiovisual communications, audience research, content strategy and performance measurement. You will gain practical experience in communicating complex topics to a broad public audience while contributing to an innovative communication project with a European dimension. You will also gain experience in content development, audience engagement, media monitoring and the evaluation of communication activities.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for consideration for this placement, you are required to:

• enjoy full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State or Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway;
• possess a relevant university degree (minimum of three years or more) in journalism, communication, science communication or a related field that must have been obtained between 30 September 2025 and 30 September 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.
• 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

Experience in audiovisual production would be an advantage.

Behavioural Competencies

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

Conditions of traineeship

The traineeship is offered for 10 months (1 March 2027 - 31 December 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 30 September 2026 23:59 CEST Assessments (remote) From mid-October 2026 to mid-November 2026 Decision and offers By end of December 2026 Placement start 1 March 2027

Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands

Telephone [phone] - Email [e-mail]

© European Medicines Agency, 2024. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Join us to work for every patient in Europe!

Who we are

Serving a population of 500 million citizens, we promote and protect public animal health in EU Member States, as well as the countries of the European Economic Area, by ensuring that all medicines available on the EU market are safe, effective and of high quality.

What do we offer

• Meaningful work contributing to protecting the health of every individual and animal in Europe within multinational, multidisciplinary team
• Development opportunities (e.g. internal mobility, mentoring, peer coaching, career reflection programme, etc.)
• Work-life balance (flexible working arrangements, teleworking, generous annual leave plus official holidays)

Benefits

(applicable only to Temporary Agent and Contract Agent vacancies)

• In principle, initial 5 year renewable contract with competitive monthly national tax-free salary and household & children’s allowances (where applicable).
• Privileges including expatriation (for expatriate staff) and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave.
• Relocation assistance.
• Excellent health insurance scheme and social benefits.
• Retirement Pension Plan.

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