International Partnerships and Secondees - Ionizing Radiation Department

International Partnerships and Secondees

Bringing together specialist facilities, scientific expertise and people from across the international metrology community to extend the reach of ionizing radiation measurement.

 

Working together in ionizing radiation metrology

International collaboration extends what the Department can do

International partnerships enable BIPM scientists to work at specialist radiation facilities needed for particular measurement services.

Secondees bring additional expertise into the Department, working alongside BIPM scientists on the development of measurement techniques, instrumentation and services. The Department also works internationally to extend access to BIPM measurement capabilities.

 

The BIPM’s work through specialist facilities

Extending radiation measurement services through specialist facilities

Some of the Department’s comparison and calibration services require specialist radiation fields that are provided at facilities beyond the BIPM site. By working with other organizations, BIPM scientists can carry out measurements in these fields while maintaining the standards and measurement procedures that underpin the services.

 

Radiation protection dosimetry

Radiation-protection dosimetry at the International Atomic Energy Agency

The BIPM uses the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) caesium-137 irradiation facility in Seibersdorf, Austria, for selected radiation-protection comparisons and calibrations.

This cooperation extends access to an important reference radiation field and connects BIPM services with the wider international dosimetry community, including the IAEA and World Health Organization network of Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories.

Read about the Seibersdorf service →

High-energy photon dosimetry

High-energy photon dosimetry at DOSEO

For high-energy photon comparisons and calibrations, the BIPM uses the DOSEO facility at Saclay, France, where specialist accelerator beams provide the radiation qualities needed for modern radiotherapy dosimetry.

Access to this facility allows the Department to provide international reference services for high-energy photon beams without duplicating large specialist infrastructure at the BIPM site.

Explore high-energy dosimetry services →
 

Secondees in the Ionizing Radiation programme

Secondees contributing to BIPM scientific projects

Scientists from NMIs and DIs can join the Ionizing Radiation Department on secondment to contribute specialist expertise to agreed areas of the BIPM work programme. Working alongside BIPM scientists, secondees can contribute to the development of measurement techniques, instrumentation and services while exchanging knowledge and experience with the Department.

 
 

Collaboration in action · Case study

Modernizing Selective Sampling through BIPM–NIM collaboration

In 2025, Dr Haoran Liu from the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China, spent three months on secondment at the BIPM, working with Department scientists to modernize the Selective Sampling system used in radionuclide metrology.

The project combined BIPM measurement experience with expertise in digital acquisition, helping move a proven technique from analogue to digital operation and making it easier to use in future measurement work.

Radionuclide comparisons

Extending access to radionuclide comparisons

Short-lived radionuclides present a particular challenge for international comparisons because samples may decay too quickly to be transported to the BIPM. The BIPM’s SIR Transfer Instrument (SIRTI) provides another route: the comparison instrument can be taken to participating institutes and, where possible, operated remotely from the BIPM.

The Department also works with Regional Metrology Organizations and national institutes on approaches that can increase regional access to these comparison capabilities, helping more institutes participate effectively in international radionuclide comparisons.

Explore SIRTI and international comparison activities →

Explore further

Ionizing Radiation partnerships, secondments and programme information

Go directly to information on BIPM secondments, the BIPM–IAEA relationship and the Ionizing Radiation Department’s current scientific programme.

Frequently asked questions

Find quick answers about international collaboration and secondments in the BIPM Ionizing Radiation Department.

Why does the Ionizing Radiation Department work with external facilities?

Some comparison and calibration services require specialist radiation fields or large facilities that are not available at the BIPM site. Working with other organizations allows the Department to provide selected services using appropriate specialist infrastructure.

What is a BIPM secondment?

Seconded scientists remain employees of their home National Metrology Institute or Designated Institute while working with BIPM scientists on agreed scientific projects. Current opportunities and practical information are available on the BIPM secondments page.

How do secondees contribute to the Department’s programme?

Secondees can bring specialist expertise into BIPM projects, working alongside Department scientists on instruments, measurement methods and scientific developments that contribute to the agreed programme of work.

How does international collaboration contribute to the Ionizing Radiation programme?

The Department works with NMIs, DIs, RMOs and international organizations on scientific projects, comparison activities, access to specialist radiation facilities and the development or transfer of measurement capabilities. The form of collaboration depends on the scientific activity and measurement need.

Where can I find current opportunities to work with the BIPM?

Current secondment opportunities and information on the BIPM-wide secondment programme are published on the BIPM secondments page.

Explore the BIPM Ionizing Radiation Department

Learn more about the Department’s measurement services, international activities and scientific programmes.

Return to the Ionizing Radiation Department page →