Internship – INPRO Support for Sustainable Nuclear Energy Systems and Advanced Reactor Deployment

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.

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

Organizational Setting

The objective of the Department of Nuclear Energy (NE) is to foster the efficient and safe use of nuclear power by supporting interested Member States in: improving the performance of nuclear power plants, the nuclear fuel cycle, and the management of nuclear wastes; catalysing innovation in nuclear power and fuel cycle technologies; developing indigenous capabilities around the world for national energy planning; deploying new nuclear power plants; preserving and disseminating nuclear information and knowledge; and advancing science and industry through improved operation of research reactors. 

The department has a dynamic, participative and interactive operating environment with inputs received from the Board of Governors, the General Conference, policy and decision-makers, and technical counterparts in Member States and the international development community.

The Division of Nuclear Power comprises the Nuclear Power Engineering Section (NPES), the Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section (NIDS), the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles) Section (INPRO) and the Nuclear Power Technology Development Section (NPTDS). The Division provides core engineering, technological, capacity building and management support to interested Member States in the field of nuclear power.

The INPRO Section implements and coordinates the activities of the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles. The Section assists Member States in analysis of global and regional nuclear energy scenarios, in building and assessment of sustainable national long term nuclear energy strategies, in cooperation on selected technical and institutional innovations and in fostering strategic dialogue between nuclear technology holders and users on these subjects.

Main Purpose

The internship aims to support INPRO in developing and implementing activities, tools, reports and other services that assist Member States in the strategic planning and sustainability assessment of nuclear energy systems. The intern will contribute to projects such as applying INPRO methodologies, supporting the organization of Dialogue Forums, meetings and webinars, and assisting in the development or finalization of INPRO products, including publications and web‑based services. The role also offers the intern valuable exposure to INPRO's work, its innovative approaches to nuclear energy sustainability, and the opportunity to gain meaningful experience in an international, collaborative environment.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Under the supervision of INPRO staff, the intern will assist in the implementation of INPRO programmatic activities and support various INPRO tasks or projects. Intern's work assignment will be to:

• Support INPRO publications and technical outputs: Assist in compiling, formatting and preparing INPRO publications and technical materials; support the review, consolidation and presentation of inputs received from INPRO Task Leaders, experts and Member States.

• Contribute to analytical work on sustainable nuclear energy systems: Support background research, data collection and analysis related to innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles, small modular reactors, long-term nuclear energy strategies, sustainability assessment and related energy policy issues.

• Contribute to knowledge-sharing and capacity building tools: Assist in developing, updating and improving eLearning materials, presentations and other training resources related to INPRO methodologies, tools and capacity-building activities.

• Enhance INPRO outreach and visibility: Support the preparation and updating of INPRO promotional and communication materials, including posters, booklets, leaflets, presentations and web-related content, ensuring clear and accessible messaging for internal and external audiences.

• Support programme implementation and coordination: Assist INPRO Task Leaders in tracking progress and advancing deliverables under INPRO Tasks 1–4, including support for meetings, workshops, Dialogue Forums, webinars and other Member State engagement activities.

• Contribute to scientific and technical communication: Support the drafting of papers, summaries, briefing notes, meeting materials or other written outputs related to INPRO activities, as opportunities arise.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in nuclear physics and engineering, energy planning, or related field.

• Additional degree or field of study in economics is 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.