Isotope Analyst(P3)

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 Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields\: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.

The Isotope Hydrology Section is responsible for planning and implementing the IAEA’s water resources programme. The programme assists Member States in the sustainable management of all aspects of their water resources, but with a particular focus on isotope hydrology. Major activities include internationally coordinated research, global isotope monitoring, capacity building, and technical assistance to Member States to help them with the assessment, development and use of water resources. The Section also operates a well-equipped laboratory for the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes. The laboratory trains counterparts in using analytical techniques for high-quality measurements of isotopes in water samples.

 

Main Purpose

As a member of a team reporting directly to the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory Head, the Isotope Analyst contributes to a results-oriented programmatic response to Member States' priorities in the application of nuclear technologies to meet their development goals related to water resources. 
 

Role

The Isotope Analyst is\: (1) a technical specialist, providing expertise in the development and application of nuclear techniques in hydrology with a focus on low to ultra-low level tritium in environmental samples; (2) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and technical review missions, assisting in the evaluation of Technical Cooperation (TC) projects, and assisting in promoting, coordinating and evaluating moderately complex coordinated research projects (CRPs) in the area of water resources management; and (3) a programme developer and implementer, assisting in planning, and developing the IAEA's programme in the area of water resources assessment, development and management using tritium and other radio-isotope tracers.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Develop isotope analytical methods, specifically including membrane-enrichment systems for low to ultra-low level tritium , in water and organic materials for understanding the behaviour of radionuclides in the biosphere and hydrosphere
• Ensure continuous operation of the tritium analysis workflows, maintain QA/QC standards, and manage data reporting, storage and archiving.
• Conduct synthesis, evaluation, and analysis of tritium and other radio-isotope distributions in precipitation, surface water and groundwater for understanding hydrological systems.
• Provide technical guidance and service to IAEA Member States in the design, appraisal and implementation of projects aimed at strengthening analytical capacity using nuclear techniques, in freshwater systems. 
• Assist in the planning and implementation of activities in the field of water resources management practices, conduct analytical studies, participate in task forces, and provide technical input to the policy and standards development of regional and international bodies. 
• Evaluate technical cooperation projects, develop action plans and plan, organize and participate in seminars, workshops, expert missions and training courses. 
• Plan, manage and implement CRPs and technical meetings aimed at developing or adapting new applications of isotopes in hydrology. 
• Contribute to administrative reports and documents to be provided to senior management and governing bodies.

 

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Doctorate Degree in Geochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Physics, or related disciplines, with some academic, research, or work experience in the Geosciences.

• Minimum of five years of practical experience in isotope analyses and their use for water resources assessment and management.

• Substantial experience in conceiving, formulating and successfully implementing field or laboratory research projects, including proficiency in the use of geospatial and hydrological models. 

• Broad experience and knowledge of the principles of natural resource management, particularly water resource management. Experience in laboratory methods for tritium analysis highly desirable.

   

• Strong technical background and practical experience in nuclear techniques in water resources management.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct applied research with field and/or laboratory studies. 

• Proven ability to analyse technical and scientific information. 

• Excellent writing skills demonstrated through a record of scientific publications.

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

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $70212 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 38266, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks' annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at\: https\://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions

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. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
• 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.
• Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
• 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.