The IAEA profiles employees to provide insight into the variety of career paths that support the Agency’s mission of Atoms for Peace and Development and to inspire and encourage readers, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. Read more profiles of women at the IAEA.  

In a world where women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics often face challenges, Bouchra Boustani’s story stands as a beacon of inspiration. Her journey — from a small town in Morocco to a Senior Nuclear Security Officer at the IAEA — is a testament to her perseverance, passion and determination to follow her dreams.

Born in late 60s in a small coastal town of Mohammedia near Casablanca in Morocco, Bouchra’s love for mathematics and physics was encouraged by a family that prized intellectual curiosity.

“Mathematics and physics were not hard to learn. I liked numbers, and I enjoyed solving problems,” she recalls.

After studying  mathematics and physics in high school, Bouchra pursued a graduate degree in  mechanical engineering and a specialization in nuclear engineering — a field that was still in its infancy in Morocco.  

As one of the few women in her class — less than 10 per cent of her cohort — she found herself in the minority.  

From graduation ceremony in Mechanics and Nuclear Engineering, March 1994 (Photo: Ecole Mohammadia des Ingénieurs).

Pioneering Nuclear Security in Morocco

After graduation from Ecole Mohammadia des Ingénieurs in 1993, Bouchra faced yet another challenge - finding work in a country without nuclear power plants. She began her career in the Ministry of Industry, thereafter  oining the National Center for Radiation Protection in 1995, where she focused on radiological environment monitoring and regulatory functions, laying the foundation for her future in nuclear security.

Her career took a pivotal turn in 2006 when she attended a training course on physical protection in Libya, where she first encountered the concept of nuclear security.  

“I discovered a new field, and I was fascinated,” she says. This newfound passion motivated her to pursue further training with the IAEA and the U.S. Department of Energy, eventually becoming Morocco’s counterpart in the Global Threat Reduction Initiative.  

As a young mother, Bouchra had to learn to strike a balance between her career and family responsibilities.  

“I put my career on hold for seven or eight years when my children were young,” she says.   

However, when the opportunity arose to lead the Department of Nuclear Security and Safeguards at the newly-established Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security in 2016, she seized it. In this role, she drafted regulations, established licensing systems, and contributed to Morocco’s implementation of the IAEA comprehensive safeguards and additional protocol.  

New International Horizons

In 2021, Bouchra’s joined the IAEA as a Senior Nuclear Security Officer. Here, she supports countries in establishing and strengthening their regulatory infrastructure for nuclear security.

“I have the opportunity to travel, to assist countries, and to interact with people from different cultures. It’s something I truly enjoy,” she says.

Her advice to young women pursuing careers in science is simple. “If you have a dream, go for it. If there are obstacles, you just need to fix them.” She emphasizes the importance of perseverance, integrity and organization — values and skills that have guided her throughout her career.

Bouchra also recognizes the changing landscape for women in STEM. “When I started, there were very few women in nuclear security. Today, nearly half of engineering students in Morocco are women. This makes me happy and hopeful for the future.”

IAEA’s Commitment to Gender Equality

The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to supporting the ability of all individuals, regardless of gender, to equally contribute to and benefit from its programmes and activities.  

Additionally, in 2020, the IAEA launched the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) to support the next generation of women nuclear professionals by offering scholarships for master’s degree in nuclear-related fields. A new IAEA initiative launched in March 2023, the Lise Meitner Programme, offers early- and mid-career women multiweek training visits to nuclear facilities.  

Read more about the IAEA’s work on gender equality, and apply for vacancies, internships or pipelines.