: NAML-Radiometrics Laboratory
: Monaco-Monaco-Monaco-IAEA Environment Laboratories in Monaco
: 2023-04-12, 10:45:52 AM
: 2023-05-09, 11:59:00 PM
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, marine 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 IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories consists of three laboratories, which are located in Monaco. The Division supports Member States in enhancing their capacity to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to understand marine and atmospheric environmental processes and dynamics, and to identify and address environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants and climate change.
The Radiometrics Laboratory has expertise in the fields of marine radioactivity measurements, development of radioanalytical methods, low-level counting, modelling of marine dispersion and transfer of radionuclides, environmental and radiological assessments, marine database management, and radiotracer applications in oceanographic, pollution and climate studies. It collaborates with Member States to assist them in their development and to implement capacity building technical cooperation projects. It operates underground low-level counting facilities and is accredited for the production of Reference Materials. It also helps them to prepare for radiological emergency situations, carries out missions at sea, supports analytical quality in Member States laboratories and provides training.
Main Purpose
Under the general supervision of the Head of RML, the Research and Low-Level Counting Assistant contributes to the development of new low-level counting techniques for analysing marine samples for radionuclides, in particular the development and supervision of the underground low-level gamma-ray spectrometry counting facility, the preparation of samples, sample analysis, planning of and participation in marine cruises and assistance in the supervision of trainees. The Research and Low-Level Counting Assistant contributes to the Quality Management System according to ISO 17025. The tasks and their relevance to the IAEA’s programmes are defined after discussion with the supervisor. The incumbent is expected to take initiative in the organization of the tasks in order to meet requirements and deadlines. Recommendations on counting equipment, techniques, procedures, sampling missions and supervision of trainees and more junior laboratory support staff are expected from the incumbent. Regular review of work is carried out to ensure accuracy of detail.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Support the Laboratory Head in the organization of work for other support staff of the laboratory.
- Contribute to operating, maintaining as well as technical upgrading of radiometric equipment in the Radiometrics Laboratory, including equipment in its low-level underground counting facilities such as multi-detector systems for gamma-ray spectrometry, with Germanium detectors and analogue and digital electronics, and to monitoring its performance on a daily basis according to ISO 17025 requirements. The tasks comprise regular calibration and background measurements; maintenance of control charts, instruments’ logbooks and measurements database; design of upgrades of hardware, software, as well as of analytical and maintenance procedures; preparation of procurement and commissioning of new equipment.
- Conduct radioanaytical determinations of radionuclides in environmental samples, including samples analysed in the framework of accredited reference materials production.
- Contribute to development of low-level counting techniques for the analysis of environmental samples by optimising counting set-up, geometries, data analysis for different types of environmental samples and documenting these developments in procedures; testing and implementing new radioanalytical protocols.
- Evaluate data, prepare figures, tables and reports.
- Prepare and participate in 1-2 sampling missions per year partly on research vessels or other sampling campaigns.
- Train 1-2 trainees per year and provide support in training courses.
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
| Name |
Definition |
|
| Communication |
Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions. |
|
| Achieving Results |
Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. |
|
| Teamwork |
Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. |
|
| Planning and Organizing |
Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans. |
Functional Competencies
| Name |
Definition |
|
| Analytical thinking |
Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions. |
|
| Client orientation |
Helps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met. |
|
| Knowledge sharing and learning |
Actively seeks learning opportunities and actively shares knowledge and information with others; shares specialized knowledge, skills and learning from experience across different situations and contexts effectively. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Completed secondary education with specialized training in nuclear electronics, radiation detection, environmental radiometrics or a closely related field. University degree an asset.
- Background in nuclear electronics, radiation detection, environmental radiometrics.
- Minimum of six years of relevant experience in working with nuclear electronics instrumentation and counting equipment and applying radioanalytical techniques, including routine instrument operation and maintenance.
- Experience with sample preparation and measurement techniques relevant to environmental analysis.
- Experience in analytical quality management for radioactivity measurements.
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
- Admin skills test to IAEA standard may be part of the process.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 44447 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks’ annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance
Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report. Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS only. Outside applicants are required to supply to the IAEA or to authorize it to seek all information relevant to their suitability for employment by the IAEA. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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.
