MSIAC Interns & Trainees

MSIAC has opportunities for member nation’s personnel who have completed or are completing a technical degree related to munitions engineering and safety and the intention to enter government or industry. For people in-between years at university or engineering school, placements can be 8 weeks or longer after completing a technical degree or Masters level degree.

Depending on the support provided by his or her nation, interns and students may be eligible for financial support to cover accommodation and expenses whilst living in Brussels. Every Intern or student will be assigned a project suitable for completion within the time available, some examples are detailed below. A placement also provides an opportunity to work with the Technical Specialist Officers at MSIAC to gain knowledge from their expertise and get a wider view of the munitions world and safety management and policy in an International organisation.

Please be informed that the granting of a NATO SECRET security clearance delivered by the national security authorities is obligatory prior to the start of the internship. It remains the responsibility of the applicant to request this clearance via their national security authorities. The duration of the procedure varies from one country to another but lasts 4 to 8 months on average. We advise the candidates interested in an internship at MSIAC to take this requirement into consideration and plan their internship accordingly. Any agreed start date of internship remains provisional until the receipt of the security clearance is confirmed.

If you are interested in applying, please forward your information to info@msiac.nato.int or d.vanoverstraeten@msiac.nato.int.

Testimonials

Hugo CHELABI – Intern summer 2021

I am currently studying pyrotechnics and detonics at ENSTA Bretagne, a French Engineering School.

In 2021, from May to August, between my second and third year, I did a summer internship of 4 months at MSIAC. I worked on the subject “Instrumentation Techniques” under the supervision of Matthew Ferran, the Munition System TSO. My work was also a bit followed by Charles Denham, the project manager.  

Due to the sanitary situation, we were not able to come on site to work with the MSIAC staff except for the last week. However, I never felt unguided during this time. I was still very well included to the team with the weekly meetings organized.

My work during this internship was divided into two parts: the first one was to gather as much information as I could about Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) to understand this subject which was entirely new to me. The second part of my work consisted in creating a contact with the different MSIAC member nations and armies to learn more about their instrumentation techniques. To do so I had to write a survey, send it to national authorities and gather the responses for analysis.

In order to complete the project, I had full access to all the MSIAC resources which includes literature, software but also the knowledge and the help of the staff. Moreover, I had access to a list of contacts in different countries to establish to first approach for the survey.

This internship was a great opportunity for many reasons: I improved a lot my English through discussions with the staff about every-day life or technical and work related subjects, but also through the survey and the communication with the different countries. I improves my presentation skills as well and received a lot of pieces of advice. The second reason is that, my subject wasn’t really related to the classes I have at school. It allowed me to discover and accumulate knowledge on a different aspect of pyrotechnics. In addition, this internship is one in a few opportunity to work in a such organization.  It opens many doors for the future. Finally, the last reason is that the MSIAC team is very caring. I had only one week at the office but it was truly amazing.

I want to thank the entire team for making this internship such a good experience and I really recommend to the students reading this testimony to choose MSIAC for an internship.

Christian LI – Intern summer 2021

I am a French civilian student at ENSTA Bretagne, an engineering school based in Brest, France. Since my second year at school, I have decided to continue my education with the specialisation Pyrotechnic Systems.

Between my second and third year at school, I have had the opportunity to do an 18-week internship between May and August 2021 at MSIAC on the subject “TNT Replacement Fills” under the supervision of Chris Hollands, TSO Energetic Materials.

The aim of the project was to review the properties of various melt castable energetic materials which are being assessed to replace TNT in high explosives formulations, and to identify the key properties to look for when investigating new melt cast energetic compounds. To do so, I had access to the database of MSIAC and one of its own developed tool called Energetic Materials Compendium (EMC). Chris was also present throughout all the duration of the internship to answer my questions and to clarify the notions I was not familiar with.

Due to the sanitary conditions, the internship was conducted remotely, however I had the chance to visit and work at the MSIAC office in the NATO headquarters in Brussels during the last week of my internship. It was a great opportunity to present my project to the MSIAC staff and get to know the team even better. MSIAC is a multicultural work environment and provides a very pleasant work atmosphere. I would like to thank the MSIAC team warmly for their welcome. Albeit only for a week, having the opportunity to go to the office each morning was a real pleasure!

If you are looking for an internship, MSIAC is the perfect structure for it!

Pierre-Louis SPYCHALA – Intern summer 2021

I am Pierre-Louis Spychala, a civilian student at ENSTA Bretagne. I performed a four months internship at MSIAC under the supervision of Dr. Ernest Baker, Technical Specialist Officer in Warhead Technology. My internship project was “Improving the MSIAC Gap Test Computational Tool and Database”.

The core of the project consisted in searching for and adding more data to NEWGATES’ gap test results database, researching new test geometries and improving NEWGATES’ numerical predictive capabilities. To that extent, an important research work was carried to find information on new gap tests and collect test results to be added to NEWGATES’ database. I used the newly gathered data to update NEWGATES. I also used this data to help improve the software’s computational tools by looking at correlations

This project allowed me to gain good knowledge on energetic materials and their related physical phenomena. I was also pleasantly surprised by the variety of work that I was able to perform, other than researching data, such as correlation work, data analysis, and even a bit of programming.

Due to the health situation, the internship was mostly performed remotely. It was really enjoyable to work with the MSIAC staff nonetheless, as all its members were very welcoming and able to provide help at any time.

This was overall a very interesting experience and I am very happy to have been able to work at MSIAC!

Florian DJEDIS – Intern summer 2019

I am currently a Military student at ENSTA Bretagne, a French engineering school located in Brest, studying pyrotechnics and detonics.

In 2019, between my second and third year, I did a summer internship of 3 months at Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC) in the NATO headquarters in Brussels. I worked on the subject “Collation and Analysis of IM test” under the supervision of Martijn Van der Voort (TSO in Munitions Safety, Transport & Storage) and Christelle Collet (TSO in Propulsion Technology)

The main task during my internship was to build a tool that calculates the TNT equivalency for sub-detonative event. The underlying reason for this tool was to help review the safety distance for insensitive munitions and also to correlate the response type to the TNT equivalency. To this end a questionnaire was sent by MSIAC asking the member nations to share their tests data on IM in order to carry a more complete analysis² with this tool.

To complete my project, I had full access to all MSIAC resources which helped me to gain a better sense of research and analysis. The knowledge about insensitive munitions, blast study and visual Basics (excel language) will be very useful for my third year at schools and also for my professional life. I also made a lot of progress in English.

Working in intercultural team and with specialists from different countries was also a great development opportunity.

I highly recommend choosing MSIAC for your next internship!

Aurihona WOLFF – Long term intern 2018 – 2019

I am currently studying pyrotechnics and detonics at ENSTA Bretagne, a French Engineering School. I had a gap year between my second and third year in which I did an eleven-month internship at MSIAC under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Andrews (TSO in Energetic Materials) and Christelle Collet (TSO in Propulsion Technology).

I had the opportunity to work on many subjects. The first one was on novel processing technologies applied to high explosives and propellants. I first reviewed the most common processes (extrusion, pressing, casting…) and identified the most promising ones: Resonant Acoustic Mixing (RAM) and Additive Manufacturing. I had the opportunity to go to Cranfield Defense Academy to see the RAM working and be able to discuss its technology with professors and PhD students who were also studying it. I also visited TNO’s facilities where I saw 3D-printed propellants. My tutors also encouraged me to present my work at a conference for the first time of my life. Then I actively worked on the preparation of the 2020 Defect Workshop by establishing a classification and a glossary of anomalies with the help of Kevin Jaansalu (TSO in Materials Technology). Finally, my last subject was on a totally different aspect of munitions. I worked on mitigation technologies for small calibre munitions and flares, and I populated the MTM database with examples. It taught me a lot on Insensitive Munitions.

As you can guess by reading this short summary, I learnt a lot during this internship! I improved my English, my presentation skills and my knowledge on munitions. I was surrounded by very skilled TSOs who taught me a lot, they pushed me to present my work at a conference and organized trip visits outside NATO: at TNO in the Netherlands, at Cranfield Defense Academy, at Brunel’s University of London and at École Royale Militaire. It was a very exciting and amazing internship! The MSIAC team is very caring and the city of Brussels is absolutely lovely. I enjoyed every moment I spent there. I really highly recommend doing a long-term internship at MSIAC!

Read more testimonials

Pierre-Antoine PREVOT – Intern summer 2018

I am currently a civilian student at ENSTA Bretagne, a French engineering school located in Brest, studying pyrotechnics and detonics.

In 2018, between my second and third year, I did a summer internship of 3 months at Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC) in the NATO headquarters in Brussels. I worked on the subject “Mitigation technologies for warheads” under the supervision of Christelle Collet (TSO for Propulsion Technology) and Dr. Ernest Baker (TSO for Warheads).

The main work during my internship was to create a report about mitigation technologies for warheads in order to provide an overview of these technologies. That is why I had to acquire knowledge about munitions safety, insensitive munitions and warheads at the beginning of the internship. Alongside the report, I also completed an Excel transfer spreadsheet that will be useful to populate the MSIAC database on mitigation technologies called MTM. I was also in charge of adding new examples of mitigation technologies directly into the MTM database.

To complete my project, I had full access to all MSIAC resources which helped me to gain a better sense of research and analysis. The knowledge about insensitive munitions and warheads I acquired will be very useful for my third year and my future professional life. I also made lots of progress in English, both in speaking and writing.

Working in intercultural team and with specialists from different countries was also a great development opportunity.

I highly recommend to choose MSIAC for your next internship!

Adrien LEROY – Intern summer 2017 

I am Adrien LEROY, a civilian student at ENSTA Bretagne, a French engineering school run by the Ministry of Defence. I am in my third year, in which I study Energetic Materials and Detonics.

During summer 2017, I did a three months’ internship at MSIAC (Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center) in Brussels. I worked on Hazard Classification under the guidance of Martijn van der Voort, TSO for Munition Safety, Transport and Storage.

The purpose of my internship was to make recommendations for the future MSIAC Hazard Classification Database (MHCDx). First, I worked on the countries databases. I made an overview of the information available in each database. After this, I performed an analysis of these databases. For example, I focused on HC assessment by nations, or correlations between HC and Compatibility Groups.  Then, I focused on differences in classification. I found military articles in different nations with a difference in HC. Using the work I realized on the separate databases, I could make recommendations for the future MSIAC database. This database will contain all the nations data in a standardized format to ease researching and warn countries in case of defective ammunitions. This project enabled me to work in an international environment. I made a lot of progresses in English, especially in speaking and writing. I learnt many things on munitions safety and hazard classification. It’s actually really useful to begin my third year. I had the chance to visit the ammunition testing facilities of the WTD 91 in Meppen (Germany), and the Institut des Poudres et Explosifs (IPE) at Balard, in Paris (France). I don’t mention all the people I met and I learnt from.

I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work in a specialized environment in munitions safety like MSIAC. Indeed, I met skilled people who helped me to progress and I learnt a lot concerning ammunitions regulations, energetic material etc. I could develop my cultural background by working and exchanging with the MSIAC members (that come from different countries). Brussels is an amazing city, with a lot of things to do. There, I developed my singing skill!

I would like to thank all the MSIAC team. I won’t forget this amazing experience.  

Maxime Voisin – Intern summer 2016

“I am currently a military student at ENSTA Bretagne, a French engineering school based in Brest, France. At the end of my third year, I will graduate with a Masters Degree of Engineering in Mechanics, specialized in Energetic Materials and Detonics, after which I will work for the French Procurement Agency (la Direction générale de l’Armement).

During the 2016 summer, after my second year, I performed a twelve-week internship at MSIAC. During these three months, I had the opportunity to discover a lot about energetic materials and especially munitions safety. It was also the chance to work with international experts in all fields of munitions safety.

I worked on critical diameters with the Energetic Materials and the Warhead Technology technical specialists. Indeed every new munition needs to be tested before being used by the military forces according to the NATO AOP-7. To properly perform these tests the critical diameter should be known. The propagation of a steady state detonation in an unconfined cylindrical explosive will only occur if its diameter is larger than a certain diameter, called the critical diameter. The latter depends on the nature, the composition and the density of the tested material. However testing the explosives or propellants can be expensive and a very long process, so it is important for MSIAC nations to have the best and easiest way to estimate the critical diameter of an energetic material. So during the first month, I first reviewed all critical diameter testing procedures and created my first report on the subject. And for the remaining time, I conducted analysis and correlations to properties of interest for munitions safety. This resulted in correlations that will be used for the estimation of the critical diameter and thus reduce the time and money required to determine the critical diameter by testing.

This internship was really helpful for my future professional work. It was my first researching work, so I learned a lot about planning, research and organization. Moreover, working in this international environment with British, American, Dutch, Belgium and French people, exposed me to many different cultures and I especially improved my English by reading, speaking and writing in English on a daily basis.

In conclusion, I really want to thank the MSIAC team for welcoming and hosting us in this internship.”

Julien Hueber – Intern summer 2014

“Currently a French military student at the French Engineering School ENSTA Bretagne, based in Brest (France), I did a two months internship at MSIAC, NATO, in Brussels summer 2014. While at MSIAC I did an 8 weeks project on environmental testing facilities. My main goal was to create a catalogue of facilities (either public organizations or private firms) able to perform environmental tests on munitions. In order to succeed, I had to develop my knowledge in the general high explosive field. Besides this, the internship really taught me skills about the environmental tests, both standard and test procedures that have to be done for every kind of munitions (surface launch, underwater, etc). Moreover, during this internship, I contacted a lot of people and organizations all around the world. This allowed me to have an overview of the various range of firms and organizations working within the high explosive field. After these two months, my main output was the creation of an environmental catalogue with almost 25 answers from a wide range of stakeholders.

I am now completing my last year of a Masters Degree. After which, I will work at the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement), the French Department for Armament, and will certainly use this experience in my future work. The internship was a huge opportunity to work with experts in an international context and learn relevant skills in the high explosive field. I would like to thank warmly all the members of MSIAC for their patience and the time they spent to explain their fields of specialization to me.”

Florian AUDIGIER – Intern summer 2014

“I was a French civilian student from the engineering School ENSTA Bretagne, based in Brest (France), which belongs to the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement). This school gathers military and civilian students from all parts of France, based on the results of a national entrance exam.

I was in the 2nd year of engineering classes, and at the end of the 3rd year I would graduate with a Masters Degree in Engineering in Mechanics, specialized in Detonics. I did an 8-week internship at the Munitions Safety Information Analysis Centre (MSIAC), of which the main field of experience perfectly matches my speciality.

Energetic materials and articles assigned to the Hazard Division (HD) 1.3 according to the UN Standard Classification Procedure have a well-known response to hazardous situations in typical transport conditions. However, they are also known for having been involved in accidents of which the scale is far beyond expectation, as HD 1.3 reacted more violently than expected in storage conditions, detonating instead of burning.

I first reviewed the UN Standards showing a misuse of the HD classification for storage consideration, while they are designed for transport only. Moreover, even the UN Test Series that lead to assigning the HD 1.3, do not take into account all the conditions which material of Class 1 could face. Secondly, using data of accident reports, an empirical approach of the features of hazardous events highlights that storage parameters such as confinement, layout, vent and density of loading might worsen the consequences of accidental events. This results in recommendations for safer storage of HD 1.3 materials.

Furthermore, my internship at MSIAC was my first professional experience in the field of munitions. I was in contact with experts in Energetic Materials, Propulsion Technology, Munitions Systems, Warhead Technology and Munitions Safety on a daily basis. It was new way to look at my field of specialization and learn more from the experts without being overwhelmed, and this at my own pace in accordance with my own inquisitiveness. I especially learned a lot about materials of Hazard Division 1.3, and the associated storage policies. This perfectly matched my expectations to work, in a future career, in a field dealing with reaction of Energetic Materials, as I would like to, and to work on designing warheads which requires an understanding of how Energetic Materials behave.

The knowledge gathered during this two months will benefit my professional and personal life. I can assume that I now have a comprehensive knowledge of HD 1.3 materials and a large knowledge in the field of munitions. Similarly, thanks to my personal project, I had henceforth an overview of the standardized tests that could be carried out on materials to determine their level of reaction.

Regarding the international traineeship at MSIAC, it was a perfect opportunity to improve both my formal written and spoken English in a professional workplace, and my fluentness in casual exchanges. These skills are slowly becoming compulsory in a globalized and international context of advanced fields of technology such as munitions. It was also an opportunity to learn about British and American culture, which helps understand the similarities and differences between France, UK and the USA. This will be a relevant skill when it will be time to deal with counterparts from these countries.”