Consultant - Experimental studies on marine organisms contamination via microplastics

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 IAEA Environment Laboratories consists of four laboratories, three of which are located in Monaco and one in Seibersdorf. The Division implements the IAEA Environment Programme and operates in a complex matrix environment with inputs from many parts of the organization, such as the Department of Technical Cooperation for the implementation of projects, and also collaborates with other Departments.

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

The consultant will work on methods development in the framework of the Peaceful Uses Initiative project, Phase II on "Marine plastics\: Tackling the Challenge using nuclear applications".  The consultant will contribute to the development and optimization of analytical methods for the detection and quantification of marine microplastics using radio-labelled molecules to assess transfer kinetics.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Prepare optimized sample preparation methods to assess the transfer of marine micro plastics and associated persistent organic pollutants in biological samples.
• Co-develop new methodologies for radioecological techniques in marine plastics research, especially by using radiotracers such as C14-labelled organic pollutants orradionuclides for assessing the microplastic adsorption under various environmental conditions or for assessing the potential of plastic as vector of contamination in marine organisms.
• Conduct feasibility studies and integrate different methodologies to advance our knowledge of marine plastics as a marine stressor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required Skills and Expertise

•    Radioecology

•    Isotopes and Radiotracers in Ecotoxicology and Pollution Studies

Asset Skills and Expertise

•    Environmental Chemistry

•    Marine Geochemistry

•    Environmental Radiochemistry

•    Radioecology

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in radioecology, marine chemistry, environmental sciences or related scientific field with a demonstrated knowledge in the field of analytical methodology, used marine plastics research.

• Working experience in the field of radioecology or marine chemistry.

• Publications in the fields of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry specialization would be advantage.

• Fluency in written and spoken English, with proven ability to write and edit reports as well as to make oral presentations. Working knowledge of French an asset. Knowledge of another official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Russian) an asset.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 150, 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.