Job opportunities

Current opportunities at the European Brain Council

Title: Communications & Advocacy Intern

Team: Communications, Advocacy & Policy

Internship Duration: April – October 2025

Internship Type: Convention d’immersion professionnelle CIP

Note: Applications only accepted via email. See instructions below.

Who are we?

The European Brain Council (EBC) is a non-profit organisation based in Brussels, its main mission is to promote brain research with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of millions of Europeans living with brain conditions, mental and neurological alike.

With the aim to speak with one voice, EBC stands as a network of key players in the “Brain Area”, with a membership encompassing scientific societies, patient organisations, professional societies and industry partners. EBC is a platform to foster cooperation between its member organisations and other stakeholders, consistently promoting dialogue between scientists, industry and society.

As showcased by its growing portfolio of projects, research and policy papers, as well as events, EBC emphasises the importance of continued interaction with the European Institutions to build strong European health policies, raising awareness and encouraging education on the brain and the repercussions of neurological and mental health conditions on society as a whole.

We are an office of international colleagues, centrally located in the Brussels EU Quarter. EBC’s working language is English, however, any additional languages are an asset.

Your Role:

This internship will place you in the EBC Communications, Advocacy & Policy team, which oversees all external communications and advocacy efforts of the organisation, coupled with policy monitoring and engagement. The Communications side of the team includes not only social media coverage and website upkeep but also core roles in the preparation of the majority of written materials emerging from the organisation, from joint statements, manifestos, policy reports, and calls to action, to name a few. Many of EBC’s events are policy-oriented and take place at the national, EU and/or global level. EBC’s communication is advocacy-driven and aims to speak with one voice for the wider brain community – basic knowledge of the EU system is highly encouraged and ideal.

  • Support the Communications & Advocacy team with its core advocacy-driven communications activities, including the external communication and support with the coordination of events (both on-site and digital)
  • Creating content related to the EBC communications, advocacy and policy activities as well as the EBC projects for EBC social media accounts (LinkedIn, X, Bluesky & YouTube)
  • Regular upkeep of EBC websites in WordPress (EBC, Brain Innovation Days)
  • Drafting and sending external newsletters
  • Helping with the coordination of the logistical support of EBC events, including speaker outreach, registration set-up, communication with participants, etc.
  • Supporting the Communications & Advocacy team in general day-to-day, including project execution, graphic creation, campaign planning, and brainstorming of ongoing and new initiatives.

Tasks of the Communications, Advocacy & Policy Team:

  • Representing and advocating for the interests of EBC members organisations and partners
  • Promoting EBC activities and the broader brain health, research, and innovation community
  • Raising awareness – particularly at the political level – on brain disorders, neurological and mental alike
  • Developing tools, content, events, and strategies to help better prioritise brain health, research, and innovation in the European Union and beyond
  • Monitoring and engaging in health, research and other related policy impacting the brain space

Requirements:

  • Strong command of English – you will be working on EBC’s communications materials, which are in English.
  • External communications background
  • Experience with design and graphic tools (i.e., Canva, Photoshop, Premiere, InDesign, etc.) – video editing skills a plus
  • Experience in professional communication on social media
  • Basic experience with event coordination ideal
  • Knowledge of the EU institutions and policy landscape is ideal for EBC communications
  • Ability to manage competing deadlines in a high-paced environment, attention to detail and proactive attitude
  • Ability to work in a team as well as work independently and take ownership of assigned tasks

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should send an updated CV and a Cover letter of 1-page maximum to Ms. Stephanie Kramer stkr@braincouncil.eu and Ms. Dominika Suchonova comm@braincouncil.eu by 16 March 2025 (23:59 CET). Please include the following in your email subject line: “LAST NAME + FIRST NAME – Communications &Advocacy Internship”.

Interviews will take place in the second half of March with a start date aimed for the beginning of April 2025.

Title: Project Management Trainee

Team: Research

Internship Duration: 6 Months (Extension Possible)

Internship Type: Convention d’immersion professionnelle (CIP) – paid internship as per registered internship programme

Please note: Applications only accepted via email – all received through LinkedIn will not be read.

Who are we?

The European Brain Council (EBC) is a non-profit organisation based in Brussels, its main mission is to promote brain research with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of millions of Europeans living with brain conditions, mental and neurological alike.

With the aim to speak with one voice, EBC stands as a network of key players in the “Brain Area”, with a membership encompassing scientific societies, patient organisations, professional societies and industry partners. EBC is a platform to foster cooperation between its member organisations and other stakeholders, consistently promoting dialogue between scientists, industry and society.

As showcased by its growing portfolio of projects, research and policy papers, as well as events, EBC emphasises the importance of continued interaction with the European Institutions to build strong European health policies, raising awareness and encouraging education on the brain and the repercussions of neurological and mental health conditions on society as a whole.

We are an office of international colleagues, centrally located in the Brussels EU Quarter. EBC’s working language is English, however, any additional languages are an asset.

Your Role:

EBC is looking for a proactive and result-oriented trainee to join the Brussels office as part of the Research Team. Your role will support the implementation of a portfolio of EU-funded and Partner-funded research projects focused on various aspects around brain health and brain research. Aside from EBC’s main research-related projects and initiatives, expect to get involved in supporting the organisation of the EBC-led Brain Innovation Days, helping drive performance and build plans for the future. The role has a very broad scope and will require an individual who is good at communicating across functional teams.

If you have a keen interest in brain health, research and innovation and enjoy brainstorming about new ways to maximise research visibility and impact and bridge science, policy and society, please submit your application.

Main Tasks:

  • Support the research team with activities within all ongoing projects, including basic project management of select projects (if relevant and possible).
  • Support project coordination: set up meetings, write minutes and progress reports, coordinate the work of involved stakeholders.
  • Support the research team in the active search for new project opportunities and grant submissions.
  • Liaising with the Communication & Advocacy team to ensure effective communication around the projects.
  • Organising liaison activities and events with similar or complementary projects and initiatives (e.g., joint workshops and podcasts) to ensure effective dissemination of projects’ results and increased visibility.
  • Mapping and engaging stakeholders relevant to projects’ scope including policymakers.
  • Support the organisation of the Brain Innovation Days and other EBC research-oriented events.

Requirements:

  • Education and/or experience in the fields of life and health sciences or other related areas is desired but not required.
  • Basic knowledge of the EU institutions and policy landscape, particularly of EU R&I policies and funding instruments (Horizon Europe, etc.).
  • Interest in project management and proven organisational skills
  • Ability to translate research evidence in lay terms.
  • Ability to manage competing deadlines in a high-paced environment (tackling multiple topics and projects)
  • Interest in working both independently and with colleagues with a desire to grow within the organisation and team, bringing fresh ideas and perspective to the team.
  • Excellent written and spoken English

Desired:

  • Brussels-based with previous experience working in a European/international non-profit organisation
  • Knowledge on EU funding application procedures and other grant application procedures

About the Research Team:

The Research Team is involved in the execution of projects within the EBC Team, both EU-funded and Private-Funded. This includes the active identification of opportunities, conceptualisation, management, content-building (sometimes with support of external experts and/or partners) and completion of the projects. These can fall under the scope of many different topics within the wider brain space and can take the final form of research papers, policy recommendations, symposia/events, and strategic partnerships – to name a few examples. Visit the EBC Website (www.braincouncil.eu for more information on our ongoing projects and advocacy work.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should send an updated CV and a Cover letter of 1-page maximum to Ms. Stephanie Kramer stkr@braincouncil.eu by 16 March 2025 (23:59 CET). Please include the following in your email subject line: “LAST NAME + FIRST NAME – Project Management Traineeship”.

Interviews will take place in the second half of March with a start date aimed for the beginning of April 2025.

Current opportunities at the EBC member organisations

The European Psychiatric Association is looking for a Marketing and Communication Officer.

Submit a Spontaneous Application

If you would like to send us an application which do not match currently existing opportunities, you can send us a cover letter and your CV at info@braincouncil.eu.