The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is a Directorate-General of the European Commission that provides independent scientific expertise and evidence-based advice to support European Union policies.
The JRC offers five-month paid scientific traineeships aimed at university graduates wishing to gain professional experience in research and apply their knowledge in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
The current call for applications is for a placement starting in March 2027.
For this call, the JRC plans to select approximately 50 people across 11 scientific and research areas:
- Environment and climate.
- Energy sustainability.
- Security, information and communication technologies (ICT), cybersecurity and technologies for law enforcement.
- Data ecosystems, management and analysis for evidence-based policy-making.
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning and complex systems.
- Space technologies, secure connectivity and geographic information.
- Health and consumer protection.
- Transport science and sustainable mobility.
- Social and political sciences, geopolitics, democracy and scientific communication.
- Behavioural sciences, education, economics and financial resilience.
- Nuclear science and technology, radiochemistry and radiation protection.
Projects may include research tasks, data analysis, modelling, administrative work and laboratory activities, depending on the field and the needs of each team.
Applicants should consult the project descriptions to identify those that best match their background and experience.
Requirements:
- Be a national of an EU Member State or of a country associated with the relevant research framework programmes. The call provides for possible additional administrative procedures for candidates from non-EU associated countries.
- Hold, as a minimum, a three-year university degree equivalent to 180 ECTS credits.
- Have obtained their most recent university degree within the five years prior to the closing date of the call for applications, or be enrolled on a Master’s, PhD or equivalent programme.
- Demonstrate a minimum C1 level of English. In addition, candidates from EU Member States must have a minimum B2 level in another official EU language.
- Comply with any restrictions relating to work placements, employment or other activities carried out in EU institutions, bodies or agencies.
Benefits and conditions:
- Duration:5 months, on-site with limited remote working.
- Monthly remunerationof between €1,338.20 and €1,741.20, depending on the place of assignment (2026 figures).
- Possible travel allowance as a partial contribution towards travel expenses, subject to conditions and budgetary availability.
- The Commission does not deduct tax or social security contributions; each participant must fulfil their own tax obligations.
Internship locations:
The internships take place at one of the following JRC scientific centres:
- Geel (Belgium).
- Ispra (Italy).
- Karlsruhe (Germany).
- Petten (Netherlands).
- Seville (Spain).
You may indicate your preferred location on the application form. The final allocation will depend on the projects and the positions available.
How to apply:
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the JRC’s online recruitment system, known as ESRA.
- View the projects and the required profiles.
- Select the field that best matches your training and experience.
- Complete and validate the application online before the deadline.
It is recommended that you do not wait until the last minute to finalise your application. Once the deadline has passed, applications cannot be amended, nor can corrections or additional documents be sent by email.
Application deadline: 28 October 2026, at 15:00 (Brussels time).
More information: Eurodesk
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