Reference Materials Specialist (TEL)(P4)

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 Terrestrial Environment Laboratory assists Member States in enhancing the quality of their analytical measurement data for the determination of stable isotopes, trace elements and radionuclides and in the use of nuclear techniques for understanding and protecting the terrestrial and atmospheric environments. This is accomplished through the provision of reference products, such as matrix reference materials, validated procedures, proficiency tests, and guidelines for environmental protection, as well as through the coordination of laboratory networks and training activities.

Main Purpose

As a team member reporting to the Laboratory Head, the Reference Materials Specialist leads and coordinates the activities in the field of stable isotope reference materials as responsible officer in the relevant project of the IAEA's programme. He/she liaises with organizations active in this field and with relevant user communities in Member States. He/she contributes to planning and development of the IAEA's Environment Programme in the area of stable isotope reference products and implements all necessary activities to ensure the continuous availability of suitable IAEA stable isotope reference materials for calibration needs of laboratories worldwide.

Role

The Reference Materials Specialist plays several roles in the Terrestrial Environment Laboratory\: (1) programme developer and implementer, contributing to the planning and development of the IAEA's programme in the area of stable isotope reference products and related quality assurance and internally leading work towards the accreditation of stable isotope measurements; (2) teacher/instructor for trainees in the methodology and applications of stable isotope measurement techniques; (3) organizer and contributor to Technical Meetings in the field of stable isotope reference products; and (4) program planner of activities to further harmonize reference product activities within the IAEA and to establish and maintain close cooperation with external stakeholders.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Organise the production, characterization and certification of relevant stable isotope reference materials, and participate in the IAEA Reference Material Certification Committee activities to ensure a high quality of products.
• Organise international proficiency tests in the field of stable isotopes.
• Establish and maintain the processes for production of stable isotope reference materials in line with relevant ISO standards and guides.
• Lead and ensure the effective use of the facilities in the stable isotope laboratory.
• Interact with and contribute to the activities of national, regional and international organizations in the field of stable isotope reference materials for environmental and other applications.
• Initiate and coordinate international activities to improve the calibration and quality control of stable isotope measurements and of reference materials such as implementation of coordinated research projects (CRPs), organization of technical meetings and participation in international pilot studies and key comparisons.
• Provide technical expertise to technical cooperation projects (national and regional) related to the use of stable isotopes reference products including evaluation of project proposals, progress reports, procurement, fellowships and expert missions.
  
  

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master's Degree - Advanced University degree in Physics, Chemistry or other Natural Sciences related field of studies.

Minimum of seven years of professional experience in the field of determination and use of stable isotopes, including demonstrated knowledge on performing high precision measurements by stable isotope mass spectrometry.
Extensive experience in the field of reference materials application. An advantage is experience in the production of reference materials and in the organization of interlaboratory comparisons.
Good national and international standing in the area of his/her specialization.
Sound record of publications in the field of stable isotopes.

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 $72637 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 28474, 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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