Radiometry Specialist(P3)

 

Organizational Setting

The Department of Safeguards (SG) is the organizational hub for the implementation of IAEA safeguards. The IAEA implements nuclear verification activities for some 180 States in accordance with their safeguards agreements. The safeguards activities are undertaken within a dynamic and technically challenging environment including advanced nuclear fuel cycle facilities and complemented by the political diversity of the countries.


The Department of Safeguards consists of six Divisions\: three Operations Divisions\: A, B and C, for the implementation of verification activities around the world; three Technical Divisions\: Division of Concepts and Planning, Division of Information Management, and Division of Technical and Scientific Services; as well as two Offices\: the Office of Safeguards Analytical Services and the Office of Information and Communication Services.

The main objective of the Department is to maintain and further develop an effective and efficient verification system in order to draw independent, impartial and timely safeguards conclusions, thus providing credible assurances to the international community that States are in compliance with their safeguards obligations. The departmental operating environment is interactive, participative and dynamic with continuous inputs received from the Board of Governors, the General Conference, policy- and decision-makers, as well as counterparts in Member States and in the international development community.

The Nuclear Material Laboratory is responsible for the treatment and measurement of nuclear material accountancy and complementary access samples. The section includes the OSL Team located at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant, Japan.

 

Main Purpose

The Radiometry Specialist is an expert in laboratory based non-destructive analysis (NDA) instrumentation applied to the actinides, and is the technical lead for the advancement of the hybrid K-Edge densitometry technology (HKED) as it is currently applied by the IAEA at the On-Site Laboratory (OSL) in Japan. The Radiometry Specialist also backs up the Radiometry Team Leader in case of absence.

 

Role

The Radiometry Specialist is\: (1) a non-destructive assay analyst, performing measurements using a variety of NDA systems, analyzing and interpreting measured data and preparing reports; (2) a technical specialist in HKED that interfaces with technical staff, regulators, and Safeguards organizations to understand operational needs for the measurement of actinide process samples.

 

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Lead HKED improvements in hardware optimization and upgrades, software updates and training, and method development to support evolving sample measurement challenges.

• Advise on the development of new HKED software data processing and interpretation.

• Maintain an in-depth technical knowledge of radiometric systems and techniques including alpha and gamma spectrometry, and X-Ray fluorescence. Advise the Radiometry Team Leader on enhancements or issues with current systems.

• Provide technical expertise in the analysis of several hundred nuclear material samples per year and ensure that data are reported within established quality and timeliness goals for each type of analysis.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge in the radiometry field by attending scientific meetings and by communicating with instrument vendors and colleagues outside the IAEA working in related fields.

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

Name	Definition
Planning and Organizing	Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.
Communication	Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions.
Achieving Results	Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned.
Teamwork	Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

 

Functional Competencies

Name	Definition
Judgement/decision making	Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.
Commitment to continuous process improvement	Plans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements.
Technical/scientific credibility	Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable.
Analytical thinking	Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions.

 

Required Expertise

Function	Name	Expertise Description
Physics	Nuclear Instrumentation	Advanced knowledge of instrumentation modules used in gamma-, alpha-, and X-ray spectroscopy applications. Ability to set up, calibrate, and maintain various spectrometry instrumentations.
Physics	Radioanalytical Techniques	In-depth knowledge of radiometric techniques, including Hybrid K-Edge Densitometry, high-resolution gamma spectrometry, alpha spectrometry, and X-ray fluorescence analysis.
Physics	Radiometry	Ability to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of samples using a variety of radiation detection systems and techniques.

 

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Bachelor's Degree - radiation physics, analytical chemistry or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an analytical laboratory measuring actinides (U, Pu, Np, Am) or fission/activation products (Cs-137, Co-60, etc.) in nuclear materials and/or environmental samples. At least 2 years of this experience should preferably be in an international environment.
• Experience in HKED measurement systems an asset.

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

 

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $58583 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 25366, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance

 

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Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are 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. 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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process
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