Laboratory Head (Dosimetry Laboratory) (P5)

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 Human Health is organized into four Sections whose objectives are to enhance the capabilities of Member States to address needs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health problems through the development and application of nuclear techniques within a framework of quality assurance.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 Human Health is organized into four Sections whose objectives are to enhance the capabilities of Member States to address needs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health problems through the development and application of nuclear techniques within a framework of quality assurance.

The Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section (DMRP) is responsible for quality assurance and metrology in radiation medicine. The Section works closely with clinical colleagues of the Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy Section and the Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section. Specifically, DMRP provides technical support in medical physics to ensure the safe and effective applications of nuclear technology in radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. It operates the Dosimetry Laboratory located at the Agency's Laboratories, Seibersdorf, and provides a dosimetry calibration service and a dosimetry auditing and verification service for Member States.

Main Purpose

As a manager and team leader reporting to the DMRP Section Head, and in line with the programmatic direction of NAHU, the Laboratory Head manages and supervises the implementation of activities of the Dosimetry Laboratory. He/she is responsible for the quality of services of the Dosimetry Laboratory, incorporating the use of radiation dosimetry techniques and efficiency-enhancing technologies, as planned under the relevant projects of the DMRP sub-programme. The Laboratory Head ensures that the laboratory activities are conducted safely, efficiently and effectively. He/she provides scientific/technical expertise, plans developments and manages IAEA activities in the area of dosimetry audits.

Role

The Laboratory Head plays several key roles within DMRP and NAHU\: (1) as team leader ensures the efficient and effective development and implementation of the laboratory dosimetry audit services to Member States, research & development, and training activities; (2) as advisor to the Head of DMRP on programmatic, scientific, technical matters in the field of medical radiation dosimetry and related quality assurance; and (3) as advocate for relevant administrative matters; (4) as project/technical officer, managing quality audit services, co-ordinated research and technical co-operation projects; (5) as scientific secretary, preparing reports and presentations as well as organizing and hosting scientific meetings; (6) as facilitator of co-operation with other organizations operating in the relevant areas of work.

Functions / Key Results Expected                 

• Plans and supervises implementation of dosimetry calibration, comparison and auditing activities at the Dosimetry Laboratory following the scientific and technical objectives of the DMRP sub-programme and in accordance with the quality system of the laboratory.
• Plans developments, manages, organises and administrates the IAEA/WHO postal dosimetry audit services for radiotherapy centres, dosimetry audit networks, SSDLs and other projects in the area of quality audit in radiotherapy.
• Implements the operational activities of the Dosimetry Laboratory as established by the relevant project managers of DMRP sub-programme, through efficient management of the human, physical and financial resources.
  Supervises the developments and implementation of the Quality Management System at the Dosimetry Laboratory in accordance with ISO standards and in line with a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
• Supervises the implementation of the Radiation Safety Programme at the Dosimetry Laboratory in accordance with the IAEA's rules and regulations.
• Generates and provides scientific and technical input in the field of quality assurance and medical radiation dosimetry thus contributing to the development of the Human Health Programme and to developments by other national and international bodies as appropriate.
• Contributes to developments and maintenance of DMRP databases.
• Develops and introduces innovative R&D approaches into the DMRP sub-programme by contributing to the development and implementation of new dosimetry techniques at the Dosimetry Laboratory.
• Builds and maintains strong strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of stakeholders in Member States' institutions involved in medical radiation dosimetry, including national laboratories providing dosimetry auditing services, SSDLs, hospitals, WHO, PAHO, various NGOs and professional societies involved in medical radiation physics.
• Co-ordinates the training of IAEA fellows in dosimetry techniques and scientific visits to the Dosimetry Laboratory.
• In programmatic consultation with the Head of DMRP, contributes to the strategic direction of the sub-programme in the field of dosimetry and quality assurance.
• Broadens and deepens the scope of knowledge by organizing scientific meetings related to the field of dosimetry and quality assurance, and serves as scientific secretary; prepares scientific programmes, contributes to the preparation and editing of scientific reports, guidelines, proceedings and other scientific publications; prepares and organizes scientific and advisory meetings in support of the Section's scientific programme; represents the IAEA at international meetings.

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

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Asset Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Doctorate Degree - in Medical Radiation Physics.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in the area of radiotherapy physics at a national dosimetry laboratory and/or as a clinical radiotherapy physicist in a cancer centre.
• Experience in radiotherapy dosimetry auditing methodologies.
• Experience in development and implementation of ISO-based quality management systems for dosimetry laboratories.
• Demonstrated experience in project design, monitoring and implementation.
• Familiarity with recommendations of international organizations for dosimetry (ICRU, ISO, IEC, IAEA).
• Familiarity with and understanding of the specific needs and conditions of low- and middle-income countries.
• 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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------