General Information
Type of contract Traineeship
Who can apply? EU nationals eligible for our traineeship programme
Grant The trainee grant is €1,170 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)
Working time Full time
Place of work Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Closing date 24.09.2026
Your team
You will be part of the ECB’s Data Protection Office. Data protection safeguards the freedoms and fundamental rights of individuals regarding how their personal data are processed. The Data Protection Officer reports directly to the ECB’s Executive Board and is responsible for ensuring that relevant EU data protection law is correctly applied at the ECB.
We are currently working on data protection issues related to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, the digital euro project and many other innovations. In your role as a Data Protection trainee, you will be part of a dynamic team of enthusiastic professionals. Our team is responsible for providing advice to colleagues across the ECB, raising awareness about data protection, investigating incidents and other matters related to data protection, liaising with the European Data Protection Supervisor and conducting data protection audits. We work closely with all ECB departments and with a network of data protection officers from other EU institutions, national central banks and national competent authorities.
The ECB is an inclusive employer and we strive to reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We encourage you to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.
Your role
As a Data Protection trainee, you will:
- carry out research and prepare legal advice on data protection matters, working closely with experienced legal counsels and under the supervision of the Data Protection Officer;
- support the Data Protection Office in preparing meetings, guidance, presentations and legal analysis;
- help to evaluate requests for legal advice on data protection questions, transfers of personal data outside the European Economic Area, data subject access requests, data protection breaches, new technologies, records of processing activities, privacy statements and data protection impact assessments;
- raise awareness about data protection.
The traineeship offers you excellent opportunities to gain experience in the field of data protection in an EU context and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your studies. Working together with more experienced colleagues, you will have the opportunity to improve your skills and further develop as a professional. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens.
Qualifications, experience and skills
Essential:
- a bachelor’s degree or higher in law, preferably obtained in an EU Member State;
- an awareness of and interest in EU data protection law;
- a good knowledge of the MS Office package;
- an advanced (C1) command of English and an intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official language of the EU, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Desired:
- specialisation, experience, research or a thesis in EU law or data protection law.
You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.
You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.
Further information
Initial traineeship of 6 months, with a possible extension to up to 12 months in total. The earliest starting date will be January 2027.
Application and selection process
The recruitment process for this position will include a pre-recorded video interview in the pre-selection phase and – if you are invited to participate in the subsequent selection phase – an online interview.
Further information on
how to apply is available on our website.
If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months from the closing date for applications, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB.
