Trainee (Metadata analysis of data sources in the Veterinary domain)

Selection procedure reference: EMA/TR/10434 

Deadline for applications: 20 May 2024 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.

The 2024 Traineeship programme is now open for applications until 20 May 2024 23:59 CET, with an intake on 1 October 2024.

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 Strategic Support office of the Veterinary Medicines Division.

Specific objectives and projects

The EU Veterinary Big Data Strategy proposes, amongst other activities, the definition and creation of a standard electronic catalogue of complete and accurate metadata information with the ambition of describing the data sources planned to be used in a study protocol or research proposal, and contributing to assess the evidentiary value of the results. 

In this context, during your traineeship you will: 

• Contribute to the development and management of a research project proposal that will aim to identify metadata to enrich outcomes of a previous research project which identified relevant data sources in the veterinary domain. 
• Contribute to the metadata analysis and ultimately build a catalogue of data sources that might be used to support the regulation of veterinary medicines. This metadata analysis will feed into the Metadata Repository and the Quality Framework already developed in the human medicines domain.
• Deliver against the goals and objectives of the EU Veterinary Big Data Strategy.
• Liaise with the external research contractors who will deliver the project.
   

Learning outcomes

• Gain an in-depth knowledge of the EU Veterinary Big Data strategy, the EMA Regulatory Science Strategy to 2025 and the data landscape supporting these strategies in the veterinary domain. 
• Gain practical experience in the coordination of research projects in support of enhanced regulatory decision-making.
• Increase understanding of communication with contractors and stakeholders, and project management/coordination.

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 Life sciences (minimum of three years or more) that must have been obtained within the last 12 months (graduated between 20 May 2023 and 20 May 2024) 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

In addition to the eligibility criteria, it will be an advantage to have:

• a Veterinary degree and/or postgraduate studies in epidemiology will be an advantage
• had an exposure to funded research projects preferable in the area of animal health and/or data analytics.

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

Deadline for applications
20 May 2024 23:59 CET 

Assessments (remote)
From beginning of June 2024 to beginning of July 2024

Decision and offers
By end of July 2024

Placement start
1 October 2024

Conditions of traineeship

The traineeship is offered for 10 months (1 October 2024 – 31 July 2025) 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 €1,858.31 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.

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Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 – 1083 HS Amsterdam – The Netherlands

Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 – Email [email protected]

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