Senior Lab Technician (Soil and Water Management)(G6)

This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA's Major Programme 2, "Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection". This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme's objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes. 

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of\: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control. 

The Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section and Laboratory assist Member States in developing improved soil and water management practices for sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems, the conservation of natural resources and the effective use of external inputs through applied and adaptive research and development activities, technology transfer and capacity building
 

Main Purpose

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory, the Senior Lab Technician assists in the implementation of research activities for coordinated research and technical cooperation projects of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programmes, in particular in the field of soil and water management and chemistry.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Assist in the implementation of research activities supporting coordinated research and technical cooperation projects, in particular in the field of soil and agricultural water management by\: (a) carrying out field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments to test research protocols and laboratory procedures; (b) recommending and advising on the selection and procurement of laboratory equipment, chemicals and supplies; (c) ensuring the safe and proper use of nuclear and conventional equipment by other staff of the Laboratory; (d) providing technical support and guidance in troubleshooting and maintenance of analytical equipment, in particular in the field of soil and water management and chemistry.

• Provide technical support services in routine and special training in soil and water sampling, sample preparation and chemical analyses to fellows of the Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Subprogramme (Section and Laboratory) in the field of isotopic, nuclear and conventional techniques to assess land degradation, and improve soil and water management for sustainable agricultural production. 

• Collect and interpret data on soil and water chemical properties by using isotopic analysis and conventional analytical chemistry in laboratory, field and greenhouse experiments such as Gamma Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, Laser Isotope Analysis, and Infrared Spectrometry. 

• Archive records of laboratory analysis and field and greenhouse measurements. 

• Assist in protocol development and validation for laboratory procedures. 

• Provide assistance for the training of equipment for soil and water management and chemical analyses in Member States upon request.
   

The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA's Radiation Safety Regulations.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Completed secondary education with a major emphasis on soil science, agricultural sciences or analytical chemistry or any other related field.

• University degree, master, or PhD in agricultural sciences, soil science, analytical chemistry or field related to the duties of the post is an asset.

• Minimum of six years of experience in the use of isotopic and nuclear and related techniques, for analysing soil and water matrices relevant in improving soil and water management.

• Experience with computer applications related to laboratory equipment, and basic experimental statistics software. 

• Experience in the use of techniques related to soil degradation and/or microbiology is an asset.

• Driving license (Austrian or recognized by Austria) is an asset.

• Good oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

• Administrative skills test to IAEA standard may be part of the process.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 66981 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks' annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at\: https\://www.iaea.org/about/employment/general-service-staff 

 

General Information

• The IAEA's paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person's race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
• The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce.
• Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS only. Non-local candidates will be considered only when no suitable candidate from the duty station is identified and will be subject to local recruitment. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
• Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values)\: Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
• The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Evaluation process

• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
• Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Appointment information

• Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
• Staff members may be assigned to any location.
• The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.