Internship – Sustainable Plant Health

Medical & Health

Overview

Gain practical work experience in Sustainable Plant Health research.

You have:

• University degree in a biological science, agricultural science, or related field.
• Familiarity with fundamentals of biology.
• Knowledge of basic molecular biology tools.
• Working knowledge of and prior hands-on experience with biology/molecular biology laboratory techniques.
• Excellent written and spoken English essential.
• Fluency in any other IAEA official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) an asset.
• Candidates must be a minimum of 20 years of age.
• Candidates 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.
• Candidates must attach two signed letters of recommendation to their application.

Duration

3 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 Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control.

The Plant Breeding and Genetics Section and Laboratory assist Member States with the development of mutation induction methodologies and integrated applications of mutation breeding techniques for crop improvement and biodiversity, contributing to the sustainable intensification of crop production systems.

Main Purpose

The Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture carries out a project on developing sustainable biological solutions for Fusarium wilt disease in banana. The main purpose of the internship is to is to provide research and development support towards research to enhance food security and climate-smart agriculture. The candidate will work on microbial mutagenesis and gain hands-on experience in the screening, molecular characterization and laboratory techniques for beneficial fungi and bacteria. Components of plant tissue culture work will be included during the internship.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Biochemical characterization of beneficial microbials using media assays.
• Conduct DNA extraction, PCR etc. for molecular characterization of the microbials.
• Document all the critical steps and prepare reports.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in a biological science, agricultural science, or related field.
• Familiarity with fundamentals of biology.
• Knowledge of basic molecular biology tools
• Working knowledge of and prior hands-on experience with biology/ molecular biology laboratory techniques.
• Excellent written and spoken English essential; fluency in any other IAEA official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) an asset.

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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: iaea.org