For the period from 16 September 2025 until 15 July 2026, the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) seeks to recruit nine trainees to assist in its research, event organisation and outreach activities. Seven trainees will be based at EUISS Paris Headquarters, and two trainees will be based at the EUISS Brussels Liaison Office.
The EUISS traineeships provide a unique opportunity for university graduates and young professionals to develop research skills, acquire experience working in an EU agency, gain exposure to policy-oriented research, and deepen their understanding of EU foreign and security policy mechanisms and priorities. The EUISS traineeships programme promises to be an interesting and rewarding opportunity for career and personal development.
Throughout the duration of their traineeship at the EUISS, trainees work closely with a designated member of the Institute’s analyst team who will act as their mentor and supervisor. Trainees will also be asked to contribute to other analyst portfolios or to whole-of-institute projects as the need arises. Applicants are encouraged to explore analyst profiles on the EUISS website and to think about which areas they would like to assist in addition to the selected portfolio.
For the 2025-2026 traineeship programme, one trainee position is available in each of the following domains:
- Asia/Global China;
- Cyber and Digital Technologies;
- European Foreign, Security, and Defence Policy (Brussels Liaison Office);
- Indo-Pacific (Brussels Liaison Office);
- Middle East and North Africa;
- Russia and the Eastern Neighbourhood;
- Sub-Saharan Africa;
- Transnational Security (the concept includes among others, addressing hybrid threats, disinformation, election meddling, covert military and other action, and resilience building);
- EUISS Director’s office (assisting the Director and his team in various research, coordination and outreach tasks).
When submitting their applications, candidates must select one single domain of expertise/profile.
The duties and responsibilities of trainees will include:
- Desk and library research on topics selected by their supervisor;
- Preparation of research dossiers, write-up of material, completing/updating of the mapping of research topics;
- Assistance in the organisation of events, including performance of administrative tasks, logistical support, finding and contacting speakers, preparing conference agendas and material, taking notes etc.;
- Updating of EUISS databases and mapping contacts;
- Other related duties as required.
Eligibility criteria and required competencies
- Nationality:
Candidates must be citizens of an EU member state.
- Education:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in political science, international relations, economics, or a related field by the time the traineeship starts.
- Linguistic skills:
Candidates must be completely fluent in English and have a thorough knowledge of at least one other EU language. Additional knowledge of one or more languages of the region of expertise will be considered an asset.
- Core competencies:
- Experience in data gathering and research;
- Experience in event organisation;
- Computer literacy;
- Previous relevant fieldwork and/or research experience in the selected portfolio will be considered an asset;
- Proven analytical and report writing skills will be considered an asset.
- Behavioural competencies:
- Highly organised and self-motivated;
- Creativity, flexibility and ability to work to deadlines;
- Maturity, sense of initiative, tact and strong sense of responsibility;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multinational team.
Conditions
- Duration:
The traineeships will be for a period of 10 months, running from 16 September 2025 until 15 July 2026 (at the moment of sending the offer to selected candidates, the EUISS reserves the right to adjust the starting date).
- Location:
Seven trainees will be based at EUISS headquarters in Paris and two at the EUISS Brussels Liaison Office.
- Traineeship grant:
- Paris-based trainees will be awarded a grant of EUR 1,767.15 per calendar month.
- Brussels-based trainees will be awarded a grant of EUR 1,539.45 per calendar month.
- Other conditions:
Trainees are bound by the same working time arrangements as EUISS staff members. Trainees equally benefit from the teleworking policy that is implemented at the EUISS (NB: except for very limited periods, teleworking is not allowed from countries outside France or Belgium).
Trainees are entitled to 1.5 day’s leave per month, as well as statutory holidays.
Health and accident insurance is compulsory. The EUISS does not provide such insurance. Proof of insurance must be presented to the EUISS at the latest on the first day of the traineeships and should be valid for the entire period of the traineeships.
The EUISS regrets that it cannot pay for travel expenses or accommodation, nor can it assist trainees in finding accommodation in Paris or Brussels beyond providing them with general information and advice.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 12:00 CEST. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
Instructions for applicants:
- Complete the online application form
- Attach a detailed CV in English (in .pdf);
- Attach a cover letter in English (in .pdf) addressed to the EUISS Director, outlining the reasons for the interest in the Institute’s traineeship programme and the applicant’s main strengths.
All applicants will be informed of the results of their application by the end of the procedure.
Click here to download the rules governing the traineeship programme at the EUISS.
The processing of personal data by the EUISS is governed by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 and Decision N° 1247/2002/EC. By submitting an application for a traineeship, the applicant consents to the processing of the personal data contained in the application form and the supporting documents enclosed therewith, in the sense of Article 5 (a) of the Regulation. The personal data in question is collected by the EUISS for the sole purpose of the selection of trainees.