Consultant - Method Development for NUTEC Plastics

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 Division of IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories consists of three laboratories, which are located in Monaco. The Division supports Member States in enhancing their capacity to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to understand marine and atmospheric environmental processes and dynamics, and to identify and address environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants and climate change.

The Radioecology Laboratory's mission is to improve knowledge about the behaviour and fate of radionuclides and other contaminants in the environment, with a particular emphasis on the biosphere. It aims to assist and enhance Member States' capabilities in the field of radioecology and its applications to ecotoxicology and biogeochemistry.

Main Purpose

In the framework of project 2.4.3.2 Nuclear and isotopic techniques for management of ecosystem services, including addressing marine plastics, the purpose of this consultancy will be to provide technical expertise and research using nuclear and isotopic techniques to address the marine plastic pollution, based at IAEA's Nuclear Applications Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco. In addition, the consultant will provide input to the team in managing all activities related to the laboratories work on marine plastic pollution (including workshops, trainings, outreach, partnerships) in the context of the IAEA's NUTEC initiative and within the framework of the IAEA's Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) Project on marine plastics.

In support of the marine microplastics group within the Radioecology Laboratory (REL), the consultant will be based at the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco and contribute to development of methods for marine microplastics monitoring for the analyses and characterisation of microplastics in seawater, sediment and biota. The consultant will provide support to field sampling missions.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The consultant will provide service on (in the order of priority)\:
 

• Conducting research to develop new harmonized NUTEC protocols for water, sediment and biota to support marine monitoring.

• Optimizing and validating the new analytical methods using microRaman, ATR-FTIR, microFTIR and LDIR.

• Developing tools for QA/QC in microplastic analysis.

• Preparing e-learning materials for NUTEC Marine Plastics.

• Providing support for training activities related to microplastic monitoring.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Environmental Analytical Techniques

• Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

• Contaminants in Environmental Samples an asset

• Environmental sampling an asset

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree (bachelor) in biochemistry or plastics pollution in biota or related field. PhD in plastics pollution in biota highly desirable. 

• Minimum three years work experience in the application of isotopic techniques to analyse microplastics in the marine environment.

• microRaman, ATR-FTIR, microFTIR and LDIR 

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

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 250, based on qualifications and experience. In case duty travel is required within the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs are provided. Health coverage and pension fund are the responsibility of the incumbent.