Economic Policy Trainee

Brussels/Remote | February – July 2026 | 38 hours per week

Who we are

ZOE, the Institute for Future-Fit Economies, is an independent think & do tank active in Germany and in Brussels. We are dedicated to policy-oriented research and evidence-driven advocacy for a future-fit economy. At the interface of politics, research, and civil society in the EU, we develop impulses for an economy that enables people to live well within planetary boundaries. We offer:

A motivating working environment in a small think & do tank that has become an established actor in Brussels in a short space of time

A strategic, agile, value and purpose-oriented working style

Flexibility of working time and place, supporting a healthy work-life-balance

The role

The Economics of a Green and Just Transition team is seeking a trainee to support policy and research work across several projects related to financing and implementing a green and just transition. The trainee will help develop content and analytical materials, contribute to EU-level policy analysis, and may also support an industry-focused project with a particular emphasis on Germany.

Key responsibilities

As part of a motivated and impact-driven team you will carry out a variety of tasks, including:

• Background research and analysis on various topics
• Drafting content for reports, policy briefs and other publications
• Preparation of presentations and key documents
• Preparing briefings for key stakeholder meetings
• Support in monitoring of current economic policy events and debates
• Support in the organization of events (physical and online)
• Support ZOE's Economics of a Green and Just Transition team in their work

Core competences

We are looking for people that share our core principles: value orientation, sustainability, agility, self-organisation. Your profile would include the following skills, background, and knowledge:

• Master's degree in economics/political economy/European studies/public policy
• Interest in economic policy topics like fiscal policy and industrial policy
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Strong analytical skills
• Strategic mindset
• Excellent command of English, both oral and written

In addition, some of the following competencies fit well into our team but are not a requirement: -

• Knowledge of EU legislative processes
• Qualitative research skills
• Brussels-based
• German-speaking

Conditions

We are looking for someone to join our team for 38 hours per week for 6 months. The position will start ideally in February 2026. We offer the possibility to work remotely from Germany, the Netherlands or Belgium or to work from our offices in Cologne, Berlin, and Brussels.

The gross monthly salary for full-time is 2289 euros, prorated for fewer hours. The remuneration for this position is based on our internal salary framework, informed by the collective agreement of the public service of the Länder. For a full-time (38 hours) position, 30 holiday days are offered for 1 calendar year. In addition to this, ZOE offers several benefits such as additional days off for volunteering and reimbursement for public transportation.

Diversity

We believe that our society's behaviour disproportionately hurts the most marginalised people – including people of colour, people from working class backgrounds, people with disabilities, women and LGBTIQ people. We are committed to challenge this through our work for socially just development and by creating a diverse workplace at our organisation. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people who are members of marginalised communities.

Application procedure

Please send your applications by 11 January. Please send: a) your CV (max 3 pages), b) a motivation letter (400–500 words) explaining why you would like to work with ZOE Institute and c) a sample of your work (power point slides, publication, press release or similar). Please do not attach a photo to your application. Please state "Economic Policy Trainee" in the subject line. If we shortlist you for an interview, we will get back to you as soon as possible with dates for an online interview