Scientific Data Manager(P4)

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.
Additionally, the nuclear science activities carried out by the Nuclear Data Section and Physics Section in the Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications fall under Major Programme 1.
The Nuclear Data Section (NDS) is primarily responsible for the generation and maintenance of a number of high-quality and fundamental nuclear and atomic databases and providing services to users worldwide. The main means of dissemination is via the NDS website, which provides interactive tools to present the required data.

Main Purpose

The Scientific Data Manager is responsible for all computer-scientific aspects of the nuclear and atomic data libraries that are maintained by the Nuclear Data Section. This includes data analysis, formatting, and dissemination. The Scientific Data manager works with Nuclear Data Section staff dealing with database processing and dissemination and reports to the Section Head. Further responsibilities are the setup, maintenance and update of the Linux/MacOs-based computational/dissemination servers in the Section. These responsibilities concern operating systems, specific scientific software, and the Section’s web infrastructure. In cooperation with the Section’s other IT staff and IAEA’s MTIT division she/he must ensure that the Section's software and servers conform to Agency security rules and are adequately backed up.

Role

The Scientific Data Manager is: (1) a computational scientist providing authoritative advice on nuclear and atomic data software and hardware issues to Member States and external organizations as well as to NDS staff, (2) a technical specialist of the atomic/nuclear databases and scientific calculation and dissemination network and corresponding software required by the Section. She/he proactively seeks ways to ensure the highest level of support for all nuclear and atomic data on our servers, local and in the cloud, (3) a technical IT expert, providing advice on operating systems for scientific purposes, scientific and atomic/nuclear data analysis and processing software, and managing the web infrastructure and git-based services required by the Section, (4) an expert providing advanced atomic/nuclear data processing and dissemination advise and capabilities to MS and NDS staff.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Develop innovative data streaming methods in one or more of the following areas: visualisation, atomic/nuclear data processing and software development, web dissemination.
• Coordinate and monitor the Section's servers managed by the MTIT section, both those that provide data services to external nuclear data users and those used for internal development and computations.
• Maintain and upgrade of scientific software required in the Section for all platforms.
• Develop new approaches for the Section's atomic/nuclear data dissemination and computational network (e.g., planning and development of new web pages and tools for dissemination of atomic/nuclear data; optimization of computational servers to speed-up atomic/nuclear data calculations; etc ), constantly seek ways to improve processes and services, design scientific software applications for atomic/nuclear data, databases and interactive tools to better serve atomic/nuclear data users.
• Guide and assist MS counterparts and NDS staff in novel techniques for the dissemination of nuclear structure, nuclear reaction or atomic data.
• Provide system support to update all scientific software and databases running on the Section's dedicated computer cluster.
• Ensure that diagnostics and usage statistics for the Nuclear Data Section are available.
• Ensure that the Section can provide the scientific software and databases support to other Data Centres, particularly by mirror sites and to users in Member States.
• Assist technically and guide other IAEA staff in the development and maintenance of nuclear/atomic databases and web-based nuclear data services, including atomic/nuclear software development in a Linux environment with compilers of Fortran and other languages.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

NameDefinition Planning and OrganizingPlans 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. CommunicationCommunicates 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 ResultsTakes 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. TeamworkActively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

Functional Competencies

NameDefinition Client orientationHelps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met. Commitment to continuous process improvementPlans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements. Technical/scientific credibilityEnsures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable.

Required Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description Information TechnologyComputer OperationsIn-depth experience with operation of computer systems and software in a scientific or engineering environment, with emphasis on Linux Information TechnologyComputer OperationsIn-depth experience with operation of computer systems and software in a scientific or engineering environment, with emphasis on Linux. Information TechnologyIT Hardware Installation and MaintenanceIn-depth experience with installation and maintenance of computational servers and desktop computers Information TechnologyIT Hardware Installation and MaintenanceIn-depth experience with installation and maintenance of Linux computational servers and desktop computers. Information ManagementManagement of ITDBIn-depth experience with management of databases and associated software Information ManagementManagement of ITDBIn-depth experience with management of databases and associated software. PhysicsNuclear PhysicsUniversity-level knowledge of atomic or nuclear physics desired

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Master's Degree - Advanced University degree in nuclear or atomics physics, nuclear data management or related field.
• Minimum of seven years of working experience in scientific, commercial, national or international organizations in design and development of complex computational infrastructures for scientific computing and data dissemination.
• Experience with Linux maintenance and web infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of secure coding techniques and information security.
• Experience in database design and interface development.
• Experience with scientific databases.
• Experience with performing scientific computer simulations.
• Experience in scientific formatting and processing is an asset.
• 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 $86027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 45680*, 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.