Laboratory Technician (Uranium Chemistry)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Safeguards 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.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

Reporting to the NML Nuclear Chemistry Team Leader and as a Team member, the Laboratory Technician prepares and processes inspection samples, and prepares reagents and control samples in the Uranium Laboratory. He/she provides other technical support to the Nuclear Chemistry Team, such as maintaining adequate laboratory supplies and assisting in maintenance and calibration of various laboratory measurement systems.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Perform standard assessments of samples following established standards and procedures\:
  - Perform routine preparations and treatments of uranium and thorium inspection samples
  - Perform routine assay determinations of uranium and thorium from inspection samples
  - Perform routine density determinations of uranium and thorium from inspection samples
  - Prepare subsamples for isotopic composition measurements and impurities determinations
• Assist laboratory staff with the maintenance and calibration of laboratory instrumentation for correct operation of equipment, such as analytical balances, densitometers, leak detectors and titrators.
• Prepare laboratory reagents and quality control solutions using certified reference materials or in-house reference materials.
• Assist lab staff with maintaining lab supplies at adequate levels.

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

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Completed secondary education.
• Two years of relevant chemistry experience in a laboratory environment; experience working in a radiochemistry laboratory is an asset.
• Experience with MS Office 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
• English language test (Level 2) to IAEA standard.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 32315 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks' annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report. Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS only. Outside applicants are required to supply to the IAEA or to authorize it to seek all information relevant to their suitability for employment by the IAEA. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.
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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.
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