Laboratory Head (NML)(P5)

Organizational Setting

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

The Department of Safeguards consists of six Divisions\: three Operations Divisions 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); and three Offices (the Office for Verification in Iran, the Office of Safeguards Analytical Services and the Office of Information and Communication Services).

The Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of nuclear material and environmental swipe samples, as well as the coordination of logistics and the Network of Analytical Laboratories (NWAL). Located about 45 km south of Vienna in Seibersdorf, the Office is organized into three sections\: the Nuclear Material Laboratory, including the On-Site Laboratory (OSL) in Japan, the Environmental Sample Laboratory and the Coordination and Support Section.

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 Director of SGAS, the Laboratory Head manages all operational aspects of the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML), which provides destructive analysis (DA) results and non-destructive assay (NDA) results from the treatment and measurement of nuclear material samples for safeguards. The Laboratory Head also ensures that laboratory activities are conducted in compliance with regulatory requirements for radiation safety and nuclear security, and that DA and NDA processes are carried out in accordance with internal quality assurance and quality control guidelines. The Laboratory Head takes overall responsibility for the implementation of all analytical work in the NML, including strategic planning, procurement, setting work goals and priorities, and providing technical oversight and guidance to members of the laboratory. The Laboratory Head is also responsible for the implementation of radiation protection and nuclear security measures for the NML.

Role

The Laboratory Head is\: (i) a supervisor and manager of around 25 staff members on issues such as budget and planning, human resources and procurement for laboratory operations; (ii) an authority on scientific and technical issues regarding the treatment and measurement of nuclear samples containing uranium and/or plutonium; (iii) an advisor in applying the principles of quality management to the work of the laboratory, including written procedures, staff qualifications and training, calibration of instrumentation and calculation and reporting of analytical results with uncertainties estimated using current quantitative principles wherever possible; (iv) a leader who ensures that all NML operations, especially those involving radioactive or dangerous materials, are performed in compliance with IAEA regulations, international and national laws and laboratory best practices.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Lead, manage, organize, and direct the work of the NML, and optimize the utilization of human, financial and equipment resources.
• Ensure the provision of fit-for-purpose, timely and quality-checked DA and NDA services to the Department.
• Ensure that the NML facility infrastructure (operational, safety and security) is effectively maintained and operating within specified parameters.
• Optimise laboratory processes for improved (1) workflow efficiency, (2) radiation and industrial safety, and (3) nuclear security.
• Guide extrabudgetary plans for developing and implementing new or upgraded instrumentation and/or procedures supporting laboratory practices in the NML.
• Lead teams on high-priority projects, including the planning and implementation of resources within and outside of the section.
• Liaise with external stakeholders to assure technical and administrative objectives are delivered within scope and on schedule.
  

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master's Degree - Advanced university degree in analytical chemistry or equivalent related field.

Minimum of 10 years of laboratory work, including at least five years in a management role responsible for the analysis of actinide elements in nuclear material samples.
Demonstrated experience in supervising technical staff.
Demonstrated laboratory/management experience at the international level.
Experience in the safe handling of radioactive or fissile materials and radiation protection requirements is essential.
Experience in a certified/accredited quality assurance system such as ISO-9001 and/or ISO-17025.

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

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $88162 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 35441, 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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