Research Entomologist Assistant(G6)

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 Division 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 Division 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 and environmental protection.

The Insect Pest Control Section and Laboratory assist Member States with the development, dissemination and transfer of sterile insect and related environmentally friendly technologies for the area-wide integrated suppression, containment or eradication of major insect pests affecting crops, livestock and human health.

Main Purpose

As a member of a team led by the Head of the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL), the Research Entomologist Assistant will work under the supervision of the Research Entomologist of the Plant Pest Group and is responsible for assisting and coordinating the implementation of research activities in the field of fruit flies and other plant pests in the context of developing innovative and sustainable pest control technologies, transferring them to Member States, and helping them in the planning and application of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programmes incorporating the sterile insect technique (SIT) and related technologies.

Specifically the Research Entomologist Assistant will assist in\: (1) providing R&D support to develop, refine and validate methods and protocols related to the SIT for fruit flies and other plant pests, (2) collecting and analyzing research data and publishing results on the development of rearing methods, quality control protocols, and the assessment of behaviour of fruit flies and other plant pests, (3) coordinating technicians and their support to R&D activities, fellows and visiting scientists, (4) accommodating and training of fellows, (5) ordering, maintaining and trouble-shooting of laboratory equipment and resources, and (6) providing technical support to technical cooperation projects against fruit flies and other plants pests.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Validate and adapt technologies and innovative R&D approaches related to the control of fruit flies and other major plant pests in the context of area-wide integrated pest management programmes incorporating the SIT.
• Supervise the rearing of different species of fruit flies and other plant pests and the establishment and maintenance of new strains and colonies.
• Monitor the shipping of biological material and equipment to counterparts in FAO and IAEA Member States.
• Collect and provide a preliminary analysis of research data.
• Monitor the maintenance and ordering of laboratory equipment and other resources.
• Coordinate the provision and support, training and/or guidance to visiting scientists, fellows and collaborators from national, regional and international research institutes who are hosted at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory to conduct R&D.
• Provide assistance to field projects that are implemented in Member States and that are integrating the SIT against fruit flies and/or other major plant pests.
  
  

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Completed secondary education. Post-secondary education studies are an asset.
• Minimum of six years of working experience in applied R&D related to the application of the SIT and related techniques as part of area-wide integrated pest management programmes against fruit flies and other plant pests.
• Solid knowledge of laboratory practices in relation to the development of techniques for the SIT.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, 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 50052 (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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