Radiochemistry Specialist (Terrestrial Environment Lab)(P3) - (2025/0114 (218998))
Organization: NAPC-Terrestrial Environmental Radiochemistry (TERC) Laboratory
Primary Location: Austria-Lower Austria-Seibersdorf-IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf
Job Posting: 2025-02-04, 8:51:40 AM
Closing Date: 2025-02-24, 4:59:00 PM
Duration in Months: 36
Contract Type: Fixed Term - Regular
Probation Period: 1 Year
Full Competitive Recruitment: Yes
This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.
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 Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.
Main Purpose
Under the supervision of the Head of the Terrestrial Environment Radiochemistry (TERC) Laboratory, the Radiochemistry Specialist is responsible for maintaining and operating the TERC radiochemical laboratory for environmental samples.
Role
The Radiochemistry Specialist is: (1) a provider of technical support and guidelines to users of radioanalytical techniques in Member State laboratories; (2) an instructor of trainees in the field of methodology and applications of radioanalytical techniques; (3) a specialist, providing substantive advice to other staff of the TERC Laboratory; (4) quality manager for proficiency test exercises.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Ensure that the target outputs of the programme are met in terms of analytical quality and timeliness by performing measurements of samples, including of environmental samples, candidate reference and proficiency test materials, using radiochemistry facilities and equipment and writing reports on the results.
Provide technical advice and guidelines on the effective use of radioanalytical equipment to Member States’ laboratories; this includes the organization of technical meetings.
Contribute to the development and modification of instruments and advanced analytical methodologies for radiochemistry, and write scientific papers and reports.
Provide training and supervise fellows on methodology and applications of radioanalytical techniques.
Act as the quality manager for proficiency test exercises at the TERC laboratory and lead ISO17043 accreditation activities.
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(Competency Framework)

EXPERTISE DESCRIPTION

Physics

Application of Isotopes and Radiation in Food and Agriculture and Environment

Knowledge of types of environmental radioactivity.
Environment

Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring

Knowledge or experience of environmental monitoring campaigns.
Physics

Low Level Radiometric Techniques

Knowledge of radiometric techniques including gamma, alpha spectrometry, gross alpha beta counting and liquid scintillation counting.
Physics

Low-Level Counting

Experience performing low-level counting on environmental samples.
Physics

Metrology

Experience performing metrology measurements.
Physics

Nuclear Physics

Knowledge of nuclear physics including types of radiation and radioactive decay.
Environment

Quality Management

Knowledge of appropriate qiality standards including ISO17034, ISO17043, ISO17025
Physics

Radioanalytical Techniques

Knowledge of radioanalytical techniques including ion exchange and extraction chromatography.
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Bachelor’s Degree - University degree in Chemistry or equivalent. PhD in Radiochemistry of environmental radioactivity an asset.
Minimum five years’ working experience in radioanalytical techniques with an emphasis on radiochemistry.
Experience of ion exchange and extraction chromatography techniques for radionuclide separation and purification and experience of measurement techniques including alpha-spectrometry or liquid scintillation counting.
Experience of radioanalytical techniques for actinides (e.g. U, Th, Pu, Am), other natural radionuclides (e.g. Ra, Ac, Pb) and fission/activation products (e.g. Cs, Sr, C-14) is an asset.
Teaching experience in methodology and applications of radioanalytical techniques with an emphasis on radiochemistry.
Working experience in a laboratory quality system and awareness of related ISO standards.
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 $70212 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 26119*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks’ annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions

General Information

• The IAEA’s paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
• The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly 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.
• The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Evaluation process

• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
• Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Appointment information

• Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
• Staff members may be assigned to any location.
• Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
• 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.

Please refer the Job description for details