Citizens' Policies Unit

The European Parliament's Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (DG EPRS) provides comprehensive research and analytical support to the Members of the European Parliament, its parliamentary committees and the European Parliament as a whole. The EPRS philosophy is to provide independent, objective and authoritative information. More than 300 staff work in the DG's 25 units and services.  

More information about EPRS is available here:

• https://youtu.be/sMBLKXKhOhE?si=W7_bKixnb382sEq4
• https://epthinktank.eu/about/

Why choose a traineeship at DG EPRS?   

'Empowering through knowledge' is the guiding principle of EPRS. As an EPRS trainee, you will be exposed to the core of the research and analysis process in the European Parliament. Surrounded by colleagues working on publications covering a wide range of EU policies, you will gain detailed knowledge of the EP's workings while honing your skills in your specific topic of interest. If you choose a traineeship in one of EPRS's library units, you will help the parliamentary community find the resources they need for their work.   

The Citizens' Policies Unit is part of the Members' Research Service in DG EPRS. It covers the following policy areas: constitutional affairs, civil liberties, justice and home affairs, legal affairs, petitions, and women's rights and gender equality. We respond directly to individual requests for support from Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and their staff, and we pro-actively write briefings and research notes on EU policies and legislative files. A traineeship at the Members' Research Service will allow you to deepen your specialised knowledge of EU policies and learn more about how Members of the European Parliament carry out their functions.        

You will:                     

• Assist with the information and research activities of the unit in one or more of its policy areas;
• Support the team members in their specialised work, e.g. by responding to research requests from MEPs and helping to draft publications including briefing notes, infographics and other items;
• Attend relevant committee meetings, workshops and conferences both in the EP and at external organisations and think tanks;
• Assist where required with meeting and event organisation and planning. 

• We are looking for a candidate with strong research and drafting skills, and preferably with a legal background;
• You should be able to process complex information and present it in a structured, accurate and user-friendly manner;
• You possess a general understanding of the policy areas covered by the unit, and relevant academic, research or work experience in these areas will be a plus.

We deal with a wide variety of requests from MEPs - each one is different, so it's important to be 'customer focused' and committed to meeting the specific needs in each individual case,  Flexibility, reliability and the capacity for team work are also very important.