Assistants (AST) generally work in administrative, technical, or executive support roles within EU institutions. Their work may include areas such as financial and budgetary management, human resources, communication, policy support, IT, document management, research, or scientific and laboratory work. They play an important role in the internal functioning of the institutions.

Assistants cover grades from AST 1 to AST 11, reflecting different levels of responsibility and experience:

• AST 1: entry level, requiring at least secondary education and relevant professional experience or a relevant vocational qualification 
• AST 3: typically requires secondary education, a relevant vocational qualification, and/or several years of relevant professional experience 
• Higher AST grades involve progressively greater responsibility and experience requirements