SNE/Scientific Specialist (Vaccinology, immunology and inflammation)

Type of position:
Seconded National Expert

Job Type:
06 December 2026 at 23.59 CET

Type of position: Seconded National Expert

Reference: EMA/SNE/11660

Job title: SNE/Scientific Specialist (Vaccinology, immunology and inflammation)

Deadline for applications: 06 December 2026 at 23.59 CET

The European Medicines Agency is a decentralized body of the European Union with all its offices and Headquarters based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its core responsibility is the protection and promotion of public health through the evaluation and supervision of medicines.

We are looking for National experts on secondment. This means staff from other European public-sector bodies can work at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for short periods of time through the national expert on secondment (SNE) programme. The aim of this programme is to enhance and develop the relationship between European public administrations.

SNEs serve a dual role: they bring their expertise to EMA and take back to their home administration the knowledge acquired during their period of secondment. SNEs remain in the service of their employer. Secondment is not equivalent to employment, nor does it lead to employment by EMA. Periods of secondment may last between six months and two years. This is renewable once or more, up to a total of four years.

This announcement is governed by the Rules governing the secondment of national experts. For further information please visit our Careers portal.

About this position:

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is seeking a motivated Seconded National Expert (SNE) to join the H-TA department and contribute to an evolving area of vaccine science. As research into the potential impact of vaccination on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) expands, interest in scientific advice and in seeking NCD indications for vaccines is growing. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of scientific and regulatory developments, bringing your expertise in vaccinology, immunology and inflammation to the evaluation of vaccines for NCDs.

In this role, you will contribute to the assessment of applications for vaccines seeking an NCD indication in the EU, advise the Agency and its scientific committees, and help shape policy development, including scientific guidelines. Your specialist knowledge will support scientific assessment and the development of regulatory approaches in this emerging field.

In this role you will:

Act as an expert in vaccinology, immunology and inflammation; performing the following tasks:

  • Provide specialised input with respect to the role of chronic inflammation as a common underlying factor in multiple NCDs, alongside disease-specific pathophysiological pathways; characterise the role of the immune system and how immune-mediated interventions, including vaccination, may support disease prevention.
  • Provide continuous scientific support and knowledge transfer to experts and colleagues relevant to the impact of vaccination on NCDs through regular trainings and contribution and/or preparation of relevant meetings.
  • Participate in regulatory science projects (such as guidelines for the assessment of applications for prevention or treatment of NCDs by vaccines) in collaboration with scientific committees with the aim of providing the best scientific support in the therapeutic area as well as efficient and effective regulatory practices.
  • Provide scientific support during evaluation and critical peer review of applications from scientific perspective.
  • Ensure high quality of relevant documents to be published for procedures following Commission Decision as well as contributing to the preparation of other communication documents (e.g. Lines to Take, Press Release, Question & Answer, scientific publications) as appropriate.
  • Help establish appropriate investigational frameworks for the pre- and post-licensure evaluation of NCD vaccines.
  • Promote and drive continuous improvement in the assessment of applications for vaccines seeking a NCD indication.

Apply if you meet these eligibility criteria:

  1. Enjoy full rights as a citizen of an EU Member State, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Republic of Moldova or Ukraine;
  2. Have a thorough knowledge of English (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the EU (at least level B2);
  3. Are currently employed in the public sector (such as a public intergovernmental organisation (IGO) national / regional /local public administration) in an EU Member State and are due to remain in such employment for the foreseen duration of the SNE position.

Essential requirements

Education

  • A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;

Field of Study

  • Medicine or Life Science (e.g. biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy).

Experience

  • 3 years from the time when a university degree was awarded on completion of a minimum of three years of study;
  • Experience in either a competent authority in the field of medicines regulation, the pharmaceutical industry or in a healthcare / academic setting should have been obtained in the scientific, regulatory, or procedural aspects of the research, development, authorisation, production ~~s~~ or supervision of human medicines

Skills & Knowledge

  • Critical review and drafting of scientific and regulatory documents for expert and lay audiences;

  • Presenting scientific, or regulatory matters at a high level (including experts);

  • Knowledge and understanding of the EU pharmaceutical legislation and the regulatory framework for pharmaceutical products in the EU;

  • Knowledge of the typical issues in quality, non-clinical, or clinical development in one or more therapeutic areas;

  • Knowledge of general methodology for quality, non-clinical, or clinical development;

  • Knowledge of at least one area relevant for quality, non-clinical, or clinical development of medicines.

These are considered as nice to have:

Experience

  • Experience in working with stakeholders (industry and national/international authorities)

Timelines

Deadline for applications    06 December 2026 at 23:59 CET

Interviews    From 11 January 2027

Decision expected    From February 2027

Process

This post is published in line with Chapter II Art 4 of EMA/329753/2015 (European  Medicines  Agency  Decision  of 30  June  2015 laying down general implementing provisions on the  procedure  governing  the engagement  and use of temporary  staff under Article 2(f) of the Conditions  of Employment  of Other Servants of the  European Union).

The process will follow Annex I of Guidance on Internal Talent Marketplace.

Only eligible candidates (see eligibility criteria (i.e. temporary  staff 2(f)  who, on the  closing date for applications and on the day of filling the post, are engaged within the agency in the function group and grade belonging to the grade bracket indicated in the internal publication.) will be assessed further.

The assessment of qualifications and suitability will be based solely on the required competencies, skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience for the role as stated in the internal publication.

Shortlisting

Talent Acquisition may publish additional pre-screening questions but, normally, the initial assessment will be conducted based on the application form submitted for an opening, and all eligible staff will be invited for a follow up assessment

Assessments

The assessments will include at the very least interviews and, only in specific circumstances, a written test, to identify the most suitable candidate.

In case of Head of Service roles, personality assessment or assessment of managerial competencies via assessment centre will be conducted.

Job offers

This publication is intended to fill a specific vacancy(ies), therefore, as a result of the assessments, the Selection Committee will recommend to the Executive Director the best candidate for the appointment, plus it may recommend 2-3 alternates from among those were found qualified and suitable for the specific vacancy in question. An additional interview with the hiring entity may be arranged before the final decision to recruit the candidate. Alternate candidates may be offered a position in case the initially selected candidate cannot take up the offer or their employment is not confirmed after probation period, but they are not placed in any reserve list.  Alternate candidates may be appointed to other similar vacant post based on Art 7 of Staff Regulations.

The selected candidate, as well as all alternates, will be informed accordingly of the result of the internal publication.

Conditions of employment

The selected member of temporary staff 2(f) shall be assigned to  the new post by written decision of the  Executive Director without impact on his/her current contract of employment  with the agency.

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Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands

Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 - Email recruitment@ema.europa.eu

© European Medicines Agency, 2020. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

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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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