Internship – Water Stable Isotope Analysis

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 Isotope Hydrology Section is responsible for planning and implementing the IAEA's water resources programme. The programme assists Member States in the sustainable management of all aspects of their water resources, but with a particular focus on isotope hydrology. Major activities include internationally coordinated research, global isotope monitoring, capacity building, and technical assistance to Member States to help them with the assessment, development and use of water resources. The Section also operates a well-equipped laboratory for the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes. The laboratory trains counterparts in using analytical techniques for high-quality measurements of isotopes in water samples.

Main Purpose

The main purpose of the internship is to support the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory in the processing of water samples for stable and radioactive isotope analysis, including sample preparation for tritium analysis by helium-3 ingrowth, trace metal analysis by ICP-MS, and water stable isotope analysis.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the direct supervision of the Laboratory Head, the intern carries out key tasks related to processing of water samples for isotope tracer analysis to support water resource management strategies:

• Assist with the registration and preparation of water samples for stable isotope analysis.
• Assist with the analysis of nitrate concentrations in water samples by ion chromatography.
• Assist with the preparation and degassing of samples for tritium analysis by helium-3 ingrowth.
• Assist with the development of ICP-MS methodologies for water resource management applications.
• Assist with the analysis of stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in water samples.
• Collaborate with Section and Laboratory staff on data analysis, scientific presentations, and manuscript preparation

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in environmental sciences, hydrogeology, hydrology, chemistry, or related field.
• Solid knowledge of the use of analytical equipment in a laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of hydrochemistry
• Solid knowledge of standard office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team, with respect for and sensitivity to a multi-cultural environment.

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.