Consultant - Biotoxins, Harmful Algal Bloom

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

In the framework of the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative project "Seafood Safety", the consultant will provide advice and guidance to  the Project Manager, Head, Radioecology Laboratory (REL) and REL scientific staff with the coordination of research on transfer of marine biotoxins in seafood and other biota, under environmental/climate change scenarios, optimize radio-ligand-based biochemical methods for the detection of biotoxins associated to harmful algal blooms (r-RBA and f-RBA) and development of a CRM-Ciguatoxins. Furthermore, the consultant will provide input in the preparation and writing of technical reports as well as a scientific paper.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Optimize radio-ligand-based biochemical methods for the detection of biotoxins associated to harmful algal blooms (r-RBA and f-RBA)
• Draft proposal for the development of a CRM-Ciguatoxins in collaboration with other parent and institutions from member state.
• Plan and conduct experimental research on transfer of marine biotoxins in seafood and other biota, under environmental/climate change scenarios.
• Draft guidelines and procedures for culture of dinoflagellates.
• Analyse and evaluate experimental results and infer conclusions for the preparation of technical reports and scientific manuscripts for publication.
• Provide technical expertise to implement the Interagency Global Ciguatera Strategy to improve the capacity in Member States to assess, manage and protect public health, food safety, trade and sustainable exploitation of marine living resources.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in carrying out activities relating to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and bio-toxicity analysis on marine organisms.
• Experience in the study of oceanography, climate change science and/or marine sciences.
• Publication of research in peer-reviewed, scientific journals is an advantage.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential and good command of written and spoken French is an asset. Knowledge of other official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish), an asset.

Remuneration

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