Consultant - Experimental Studies on Metal Accumulation in Seafood

Monaco

Organization: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency
Location: Monaco
Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Technology, Electronics and Mechanics
- Nuclear Technology
- Radioecology Laboratory
- Energy sector
Closing Date: Closed

This is a re-opening of the consultancy. If you have already submitted your application, it is not necessary to re-apply - your application is still under consideration.

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 Division consists of four laboratories, three of which are located in Monaco and one in Seibersdorf. The Division supports Member States in enhancing their capacity to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to understand marine, terrestrial and atmospheric environmental processes and dynamics, and to identify and address environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants and climate change.

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 "Seafood safety". The consultant will contribute to the development and optimization of methods to study the bioaccumulation and detoxification of metals (e.g. Al and Hg) in marine organisms (seafood) using radiotracer to assess, in vitro and in vivo, detoxification mechanisms in the organisms and potential risk of contamination for the consumer.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Design, develop and test an experimental approach to investigate the risk of metal contamination on marine organisms using nuclear and isotopic applications.
Advise on optimizing methods to assess the detoxification process in marine organisms.
Explore the feasibility of using new radiotracers to advance our knowledge of metal transfer and detoxification storage in marine organisms.
Design, develop and test an experimental approach to assess concomitant exposures of marine organisms to metals of concerns (e.g. mercury and aluminium) under a changing ocean (variation of temperature, pH or dissolved oxygen).
Carry out experimental work on the bioaccessibility of metals accumulated in seafood to human consumers.
Use of obtained results to propose recommendation for risk assessment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Isotopes and Radiotracers in Ecotoxicology and Pollution Studies
Radioecology
Marine Environment and Coastal Zone Management

Qualifications and Experience

Advanced University Degree in Ecotoxicology or a related field. A PhD would be an asset.
Good background in Marine biology including experience in experimental studies with marine organism.
Good background on metal contamination in aquatic organisms, especially in detoxification process.
Good knowledge in radioecology including radioisotopic techniques (especially gamma and beta emitters).
Skills in statistical data analysis.
Experience in scientific writing, and good writing skills in English.
Good oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of â¬ 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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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