Jobs at the JRC

Permanent staff are members of the EU civil service appointed for an indefinite time. They constitute the core working force.

The recruitment of permanent staff is managed by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) through open competitions.

Visit EPSO for more info on this staff category

On the EPSO page you can learn more about how to apply for vacancies and see the tests you may need to pass in order to get a job with the EU institutions.

It is possible to work for the EU on a fixed-term contract basis. Contract agents (or staff) carry out a number of manual or administrative tasks and may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an insufficient number of officials is available.

All contract staff positions are divided into four function groups (career levels):

• FG I: Manual and administrative support-service tasks
• FG II: Clerical or secretarial tasks, office management and other equivalent tasks
• FG III: Executive tasks, drafting, accountancy and other equivalent technical tasks
• FGIV: Administrative, advisory, linguistic and equivalent technical tasks

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Job opportunities for research fellows at the European Commission

Researchers – Contractual Agents - Function Group (FG) IV.

The JRC is currently seeking research fellows with sound scientific research experience and a desire to work at the interface of science, knowledge and policy, in the following fields:

Biology, Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Oceanography / Marine Sciences, Nanotechnology, Nanobiotechnology, Veterinary, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Sciences, Statistics, Material Sciences, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences, Psychology , Geography, Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Meteorology, Ecology, Forestry, Geology, Hydrological Sciences, Medical Sciences, Pharmacy, Nutritional Sciences.

Apply now

See more vacancies on ESRA

JRC contract staff simulation and model contracts

Open vacancy

Temporary staff is recruited to fill vacant positions within the EU institutions and agencies for a set amount of time; this may range from a few months to a few years. 

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Open vacancy

EU traineeships

The EU traineeships programmes offer recent graduates a chance to increase their professional skills, expand their network and enhance their knowledge of the EU. Traineeships (or internships) offer a great insight into the work of the EU civil service and are available in a wide range of fields.

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JRC Trainees

The JRC offers a special traineeship scheme in a multi-disciplinary research environment. There are two types of traineeship:

1. training related to the preparation of a thesis for a university degree;
2. training after university education (or its equivalent) within 5 years after the last university degree.

See opportunities for trainees on ESRA

The profile typically includes:

• a description of the research work to be followed
• the type of traineeship preferred (type I and/or type II)
• any special expertise or qualifications needed for the traineeship
• any training that will be provided (for example, in the use of a specific instrument or a specific software package)
• a deadline for replying to the call

Seconded National Experts (SNEs) are qualified civil servants from EU Member States who bring their expertise to the EU for a fixed period of time. 

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JRC vacancies for SNE

• Seconded National Expert – Galileo PRS User Segment Officer

Please note: While the JRC is publishing vacancies for SNEs no applications should be sent to the JRC.

Please contact your

• Permanent Representation
• Diplomatic Mission of Non-Member Country
• the EFTA Secretariat
• IGO Administration

Grantholder contracts are aimed at developing training, career development and mobility opportunities for researchers throughout their careers. The JRC offers contracts under the national employment law of the site where the JRC Institute is established to scientists embarking on doctoral studies, to those early on in their career and to those with experience. There are currently 2 categories of grantholders:

Category 20 grantholder contracts are intended for students who submit a proposal for doctoral studies related to a research area published in an institute's call for interest for grantholders. Learn more about the Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDP) programme.

Apply to CDP PhD positions

Category 40 Grantholders contracts are intended for senior scientists in a field relevant to the JRC’s scientific activities (doctoral degree and 10 years of research experience or 15 years of research experience after a degree allowing access to doctoral studies).

Apply to category 40 vacancies

For more information, please read the