Internship – Nuclear Fusion
Assist in the implementation of activities under the nuclear fusion sub-programme.
Overview
Assist in the implementation of activities under the nuclear fusion sub-programme.
You have:
- University degree in Nuclear Physics, Plasma Physics, Nuclear Fusion or related fields.
- Demonstrated interest in fusion research.
- Experience in organizing scientific events.
- Knowledge of the technical aspects of fusion research and the major ongoing national and international activities in the field.
- Skills in creating, managing and developing small projects.
- Ability to comprehend technical content and develop a technical document.
- 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.
- Good written and spoken English essential; fluency in any other IAEA official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) an asset.
- Candidates must not have previously participated in the IAEA's internship programme.
Duration
12 months
Internships
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 Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA's Major Programme 2, "Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection". This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme's objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.
The Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.
The Physics Section is responsible for planning and implementing activities in the areas of (i) effective utilization of research reactors, (ii) fostering relevant research and development and applications using particle accelerators and related instrumentation, and (iii) plasma physics and fusion, in order to enable Member States to avail themselves of the benefits of nuclear sciences and technologies. It operates the Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory, located at the Agency's Laboratories in Seibersdorf, which assists laboratories in Member States to improve the effective utilization of nuclear spectrometry and related instrumentation by providing technical advice, training, calibration services, assistance with the modification and development of nuclear instruments and with new applications of nuclear spectrometry techniques in various fields, including energy related applications, environmental monitoring, industry, and the study of cultural heritage objects.
Main Purpose
The Intern will assist in the implementation of activities under the sub-programme 1.4.4. In particular, the incumbent will support with the:
- Preparation of technical reports;
- Planning and implementation of scientific and technical events;
- Implementation of coordinated research projects.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Support the preparation of technical reports for submission to Publication Committee for Technical Meetings, Consultancy Meetings and Workshops organized within the sub-programme 1.4.4;
- Support the management of the Fusion Portal for the dissemination of the information related to the IAEA's activities in fusion research and development, including creating and developing new content;
- Assist in the preparation and implementation of scientific and technical events on topics related to nuclear fusion research.
Qualifications and Experience
- University degree in Nuclear Physics, Plasma Physics, Nuclear Fusion or related fields.
- Demonstrated interest in fusion research.
- Experience in organizing scientific events.
- Knowledge of the technical aspects of fusion research and of the major ongoing national and international activities the field.
- Skills in creating, managing and developing small projects.
- Ability to comprehend technical content and develop a technical document.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Discuss your experience with fusion research and how it relates to the responsibilities of this internship. | The interviewer wants to assess your relevant knowledge and experience in fusion research. | Highlight specific projects or studies you have done related to fusion. |
| Can you provide an example of a scientific event you have organized and what your role was in it? | This question aims to evaluate your event organization skills and experience. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you approach technical writing for scientific reports? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to manage a small project? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Why are you interested in interning with the IAEA and this particular department? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to learn a new concept quickly. What was your approach? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What do you believe are the key challenges currently facing nuclear fusion research? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How well do you work in a team, especially in a technical setting? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |