The IAEA accepts a limited number of interns each year. The internships are awarded to persons studying towards a university degree or who have recently received a degree (see Internship web pages for further details).

The purpose of the programme is:

To provide interns with the opportunity to gain practical work experience in line with their studies or interests, and expose them to the work of the IAEA and the United Nations as a whole.

To benefit the IAEA’s programmes through the assistance of qualified students specialized in various professional fields.

The duration of an internship is normally not less than three months and not more than one year.

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Safety and Security (NS) formulates and implements the IAEA’s nuclear safety and security programme, which encompasses the Agency’s activities to protect people and the environment from radiation exposure, and responds to the needs of its Member States related to nuclear safety and security.
The objective of the Division of Nuclear Installation Safety (NSNI) is to achieve and maintain a high level of safety of nuclear installations worldwide that are under design or construction or in operation. The Division does this by establishing standards of safety for the protection of health, including standards for nuclear power plants and other nuclear installations and facilities, and by providing for the application of these standards through, among other things, support for the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation programme, the rendering of safety review services, the promotion of education and training, the fostering of information exchange and the coordination of research and development. In addition, the Division helps ensure safety at nuclear installations by supporting international safety instruments such as the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors. NSNI comprises five Sections:
•External Events Safety Section
•Operational Safety Section
•Safety Assessment Section
•Regulatory Activities Section
•Research Reactor Safety Section

The Research Reactor Safety Section (RRS) works with Member States to develop an international research reactor and fuel cycle facility safety enhancement plan and regime. Activities in this area include monitoring research reactors subject to project and supply agreements, and assisting Member States possessing such reactors in fulfilling all the relevant safety obligations. The Section also covers a wide range of topics related to research reactor and fuel cycle facility safety, including siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation, utilization and decomm
issioning.

Main Purpose

The main purpose of the internship is to assist the IAEA nuclear safety officers in the implementation of technical meetings and workshops on safety of nuclear fuel cycle facilities (NFCFs); development of an IAEA publication on chemical and fire safety for NFCFs; and preparation of review and analysis reports of events reported to FINAS.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Assist in development of a publication on “Consideration of Chemical, Fire and Explosion Safety for Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities”.
• Assist in the preparation and conduct of the workshop on “Training and Qualification of Operating Personnel for Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities (March 2025)”, including preparation of the meeting programme and meeting report.
• Assist in the preparation and conduct of the workshop on the “Impact of Climate Change on the Safety of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities (October 2025)”, including preparation of the meeting programme and meeting report.
• Assist in collecting and analysing data and preparation of relevant information reports on information on safety issues and trends for nuclear fuel cycle facilities.

Qualifications and Experience

University degree (in progress or recently completed) in engineering or physics.

Applicant Eligibility

• Candidates must be a minimum of 20 years of age and have completed at least three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a first degree.
• Candidates may apply up to one year after the completion of a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree.
• Candidates must not have previously participated in the IAEA’s internship programme.
• Good written and spoken English essential; fluency in any other IAEA official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) an asset.
• Candidates must attach two signed letters of recommendation to their application.