Senior Laboratory Technician (Stable Isotopes)(TERC)(G6)

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.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Laboratory Head and the Reference Material Specialist of the Terrestrial Environment Radiochemistry (TERC) Laboratory, the Senior Laboratory Technician supports the operations of the TERC Laboratory for stable isotope analysis and the provision of reference materials and proficiency test exercises. Specifically, the Senior Laboratory Technician prepares and conducts isotopic analyses of organic and inorganic samples in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and laser spectroscopy. The role also involves developing and optimising analytical protocols for the characterisation of reference materials.
The Senior Laboratory Technician is responsible for data calculation and normalisation, data quality assessment, and reporting, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of measurements in compliance with the laboratory’s ISO 17025 and ISO 17034 quality management systems. In addition, the Senior Laboratory Technician monitors instrument performance, carries out routine and non-routine maintenance of laboratory instruments and the laboratory environment, and implements corrective actions to resolve technical issues and equipment failures.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Sample Preparation: Extracting, purifying, and preparing solid, liquid, and gaseous samples for analysis.
• Instrument Operation: Operating isotope ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS), laser spectrometers, particle size analysers, and associated equipment for stable isotope analysis.
• Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Performing routine instrument checks, calibration, and minor repairs, and liaising with technical specialists on complex issues. Monitoring inventories and procurement of laboratory consumables and spare parts.
• Quality Systems: Updating and reviewing quality control charts, maintaining logbooks, participating in internal and external audits, and assisting with the review and updating of laboratory procedures including compliance with ISO17034.
• Data Management: Normalising, processing, reducing, and reporting analytical data.
• Method Development: Developing and optimising new analytical methods for stable isotope analysis.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

NameDefinition 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. 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.

Functional Competencies

NameDefinition Analytical thinkingAnalyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions. 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. Knowledge sharing and learningActively 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.

Required Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description ChemistryAnalytical ChemistryExperience in the analysis of stable isotope ratios of light elements (H, C, N, O, S) in organic, inorganic, solid, liquid and gas sample types including using continuous flow and dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS)BioscienceQuality ManagementExperience in laboratory quality management systems including ISO17025, ISO17034 and ISO17043.

Asset Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description ChemistryAnalytical TechniquesExperience in laser spectrometry for the measurement of stable isotopes.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Completed secondary education.
• Minimum of six years of working experience in the analysis of stable isotope ratios of light elements (H, C, N, O, S) in organic, inorganic, solid, liquid and gas sample types. The experience must include using continuous flow and dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and associated peripherals. This includes instrument calibration, commissioning, analysis, maintenance and troubleshooting together with sample preparation including acid reaction, extraction and purification.
• Deep understanding of stable isotope measurements, including the normalisation/calibration of data, the calculation of isotope delta values, the isotope delta scales definition and realisation.
• Experience and strong understanding of chemical and laboratory safety.
• The candidate should have experience in a laboratory quality system and awareness of related ISO standards (i.e. ISO 17025 and ISO17034).
• Good oral and written command of English. Good oral and written command of German an asset. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
• Experience in laser spectrometry is an asset.
• Administrative skills testing to IAEA standard might be part of the selection process.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 68788 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks' annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/general-service-staff

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.
• Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS only. Non-local candidates will be considered only when no suitable candidate from the duty station is identified and will be subject to local recruitment. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
• 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.
• 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.