Have you recently graduated? In 2022, we launched the Eureka traineeship programme, offering graduates the opportunity to continue their learning journey, while working as part of a talented, 40-strong international team right next to the Parc du Cinquantenaire. You’d be putting into practice knowledge gained during your studies, while supporting us in our daily work to promote innovation beyond borders.
We are looking for three trainees, one in our Strategy, Business Development and Data team, one in our our Communications team and one in our Programme Management team to start in February 2025 and for a duration of five months. Prior knowledge of EU funding programmes and relations with actors in the EU R&D and innovation landscape is not necessary, but an innate curiosity for analytics and problem-solving using data is essential.
What is Eureka?
Eureka is the world’s biggest network of ministries and innovation agencies, providing funding and support for international R&D. Since 1985, governments and public funding agencies in our network have supported the R&D behind 7,000 plus groundbreaking commercialised innovations that have positively impacted economic growth and competitiveness. With several programmes, our network, through national funding schemes, supports small, medium and large companies, universities and research organisations who collaborate in international R&D projects for civilian purpose.
The Secretariat is made up of 15 different nationalities, where English is the principle language. The team supports our network’s strategic objectives, manages programme operations, develops and maintains IT platforms, stores data and promotes Eureka to a wide range of stakeholders and beneficiaries. It is also responsible for the implementation of the Eurostars, Innowwide and investment readiness programmes, dedicated to highly innovative SMEs and co-funded by Eureka countries and the European Union as part of the Horizon Europe framework programme.
1) Trainee Strategy, Business Development, Data
No one day is the same at Eureka. You could be compiling country background reports for high-level meetings, monitoring KPIs for the funding programmes and assessing their impact, interpreting data to identify success stories based on econometric results, developing data visualisations for documents, presentations, the public website and much more. Our trainees tell us that they love seeing how their contributions can have a direct impact and shape outcomes, as well as enriching their knowledge and skills.
To work within data analysis and impact assessment, you can expect to work closely with our Senior data analyst and coordinator on providing impact assessment of our funding programmes.
The following skills would be an advantage:
- Education/Experience in qualitative methodology and quantitative data analysis.
- Experience with data visualisation tools (Excel, Power Bi, …)
- Knowledge of impact assessment.
- Knowledge of EU project management processes and EU policy and advocacy routes
We’re also looking for a colleague with a:
- Service-oriented attitude.
- Reliable and organised approach to collaboration.
- Sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to act with diplomacy.
- Positive and flexible approach.
- Highly motivated, team-player mindset, with the ability to work independently and manage their own deadlines.
- Proficiency in Office 365 software, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
- Fluency in English, written and spoken, as the language of communication at Eureka. Other languages an advantage.
2) Trainee Communications
No one day is the same at Eureka. You could be planning social media campaigns, maintaining and adding content to our website, optimising online content for search engines (SEO), co-creating compelling promotional material (including video content), drafting presentations, organising events, editing official documents - and much more. Our trainees tell us that they love seeing how their contributions can have a direct impact and shape outcomes, as well as enriching their knowledge and skills.
The following skills would be an advantage:
- A background in a communications discipline, such as writing for different forms of media and target groups.
- Creativity and adaptability to rapid change.
- Excellent time and project management skills.
- Experience in writing for the web and using content management systems.
- Bonus points for prowess in use of social media for business purposes.
We’re also looking for a colleague with a:
- Service-oriented attitude
- Reliable and organised approach to collaboration.
- Sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to act with diplomacy.
- Positive and flexible approach.
- Highly motivated, team-player mindset, with the ability to work independently and manage their own deadlines.
- Proficiency in Office 365 software, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint. Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, Figma, Canva and similar visualisation tools is advantageous.
- Fluency in English, written and spoken, as the language of communication at Eureka. Other languages an advantage.
3) Trainee Programme management
Our Operations team is in charge of different programmes that aim to support SMEs and other type of companies to innovate via collaborative projects.
Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate internationally on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation. The team running the programme counts nine staff members and they coordinate all stages of the programme.
The trainee in this team will take part in the evaluation processes and the monitoring of a portfolio of R&D projects involving companies from across Europe and beyond.
The Global operational team behind the Network projects, Globalstars, Innowwide, Clusters and Investment Readiness programme is composed of 4 team members.
Working in this team, the trainee will contribute to the development and implementation of these programmes. The role offers an introduction to public administration, research funding, corporate and private investment and international cooperation.
The following skills would be an advantage:
- Qualification in business studies, international relations, European studies, political science, project management or economics.
- Analytical thinking with the ability to handle both qualitative and quantitative data.
- Service minded and a team player.
- Methodical with administrative work - well organised and able to multitask.
We’re also looking for a colleague with a:
- Service-oriented attitude.
- Reliable and organised approach to collaboration.
- Sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to act with diplomacy.
- Positive and flexible approach.
- Highly motivated, team-player mindset, with the ability to work independently and manage their own deadlines.
- Proficiency in Office 365 software, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint. Experience Data BO, Stats is advantageous.
- Fluency in English, written and spoken, as the language of communication at Eureka. Other languages an advantage.
Eligibility
Our traineeships are open to those legally entitled to work in Belgium with post-secondary education of at least three years, attested by a diploma.
Work conditions
- Bachelor’s/Master’s graduates will be employed via a professional immersion agreement (Bruxelles Formation[1]/VDAB)) and will receive an indemnity of 1.035,20 EUR gross/month (21 years and over) – index 2024.
- Those still enrolled in a master’s degree programme will receive an indemnity, the scale of which will depend on their university’s conditions for internships as part of their studies and which could be subject to the conclusion of an agreement between Eureka and the university.
· In addition to the above indemnity, a trainee receives
- meal vouchers of eight euro per workday,
- a 148 euro net monthly allowance for home-working costs,
- reimbursement of home-office public transport
- one day of leave per worked calendar month.
- Hybrid working with the freedom to work from home up to two days a week.
- Flexible working hours: 37.5 hours per week – 7.5 hours per day.
- Accident insurance.
Application and closing date
- Send a motivation letter accompanied by your CV, completing the application form via the online APPLY button at the end of the vacancy page.
Trainee Strategy, Business Development, Data page
Trainee Programme management page
- By applying, candidates give their consent to their diplomas and references being verified.\
- Closing date: Tuesday 15 October 2024 17:00 Brussels time.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted within one month of the application deadline. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
The Eureka traineeship programme has two annual rounds - in February and September, for a duration of five months.
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