The IAEA is offering a 12-month Internship with its INPRO Section at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The intern will support the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) in the strategic planning and sustainability assessment of nuclear energy systems, from publications and analysis to eLearning, outreach and Member State meetings. Applications close on 12 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy, and every detail is set out below.
Vacancy Details at a Glance
🔢 Job number: TAL-NENP20260908-003
🏢 Organization: NENP-INPRO Section
📍 Primary location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters
⏱️ Duration: 12 months
📃 Contract type: Interns
📋 Full Competitive Recruitment: No
How the IAEA Internship Programme Works
The IAEA accepts a limited number of interns each year. Internships are awarded to persons studying towards a university degree or who have recently received a degree.
The programme has two aims:
🌐 To give interns the opportunity to gain practical work experience in line with their studies or interests, and to 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
An IAEA internship normally lasts not less than three months and not more than one year. This position is advertised for the full 12 months.
The Department of Nuclear Energy: Where This Placement Sits
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
🔬 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 and the INPRO Section
The Division of Nuclear Power comprises four sections:
⚙️ Nuclear Power Engineering Section (NPES)
🧱 Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section (NIDS)
♻️ International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles Section (INPRO)
🧪 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
🧭 Building and assessing sustainable national long-term nuclear energy strategies
🔧 Cooperation on selected technical and institutional innovations
💬 Fostering strategic dialogue between nuclear technology holders and users on these subjects
Main Purpose of the Internship
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
📰 Assisting in the development or finalization of INPRO products, including publications and web-based services
The role also offers valuable exposure to INPRO's work and its innovative approaches to nuclear energy sustainability, and the opportunity to gain meaningful experience in an international, collaborative environment.
What the Intern Will Do: Functions and 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. The work assignment is to:
📝 Support INPRO publications and technical outputs: assist in compiling, formatting and preparing INPRO publications and technical materials, and 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
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Qualifications and Experience
🎓 A university degree in nuclear physics and engineering, energy planning, or a related field
💶 An additional degree or field of study in economics is considered an asset
No professional experience requirement is listed for this internship.
Language Requirements
🗣️ Good written and spoken English is essential
🔤 Fluency in any other IAEA official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) is an asset
Who Can Apply? Applicant Eligibility
🎂 Candidates must be a minimum of 20 years of age
🏫 Candidates must 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
How to Apply
Candidates must attach two signed letters of recommendation to their application.
Is This Internship Right for You?
According to Youth Works Hub's review of the vacancy, this placement suits students and recent graduates in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering or energy planning who want to work on sustainable nuclear energy strategies, small modular reactors and innovative fuel cycles inside an international organization. A second degree or field of study in economics is listed as an asset, as is fluency in another IAEA official language. If you are weighing several placements, our guide to how internships abroad for students and recent graduates work explains the main routes. You can also browse more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the IAEA INPRO intern do?
The intern will assist the INPRO Section in implementing its programmatic activities under the supervision of INPRO staff. Tasks cover INPRO publications and technical outputs, background research and analysis on sustainable nuclear energy systems, eLearning and capacity building materials, outreach and communication materials, support for INPRO Tasks 1–4 and Member State events, and drafting papers, summaries and briefing notes.
Where is the internship based and how long does it last?
The internship is based at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. It lasts 12 months.
What is INPRO?
INPRO is the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles. Its Section assists Member States in analysing global and regional nuclear energy scenarios, building and assessing sustainable national long-term nuclear energy strategies, cooperating on technical and institutional innovations, and fostering strategic dialogue between nuclear technology holders and users.
What degree do I need?
The vacancy asks for a university degree in nuclear physics and engineering, energy planning, or a related field. An additional degree or field of study in economics is an asset. You must also have completed at least three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards a first degree.
Can recent graduates apply?
Yes. Candidates may apply up to one year after the completion of a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes. Candidates must be at least 20 years of age.
Can I apply if I have already done an IAEA internship?
No. Candidates must not have previously participated in the IAEA's internship programme.
Which languages are required?
Good written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in another IAEA official language, namely Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian, is an asset.
What documents must I attach to my application?
You must attach two signed letters of recommendation to your application.
When is the application deadline?
The closing date is 12 November 2026. The vacancy lists the closing time as 1:59 AM on that date.
Deadline
⏳ 12 November 2026
Links
🔗 Vacancy: https://iaea.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=TAL-NENP20260908-003
📝 Application: https://iaea.taleo.net/careersection/application.jss?type=1&lang=en&portal=8105100373&reqNo=1359483
