The OPCW laboratory is the OPCW’s centre of chemical analysis and works within the Verification Division. Its work is key to ensuring correct implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It works to ensure excellent technical support to the inspectorate, calibrating and testing analytical equipment and ensuring that inspections are carried out in accordance with the convention. It maintains the OPCW Central Analytical database.

The intern will learn about sample preparation, chemical warfare agents, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and troubleshooting, use of AMDIS and MS Search programmes for identification of chemicals, good laboratory practices, health and safety in the laboratory and quality control. The intern will be tasked with several projects which have not yet been completed due to other priorities by the laboratory’s full time staff.

Applicants interested in this role should have a strong chemical background- a Bachelors in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, experience with gas chromatography- mass spectrometry and related data analysis software and experience with sample preparation.

The minimum time frame for the internship is 6 months as all projects undertaken will involve 2 months of training, 2 months of experimental work and 2 months of analysis.