Vacancy Notice No. 2009/269


Position and Grade:	Laboratory Technician (G-3)
Organizational Unit:	FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory Agency's Laboratories (Seibersdorf and Headquarters) Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
Duty Station:	Seibersdorf, Austria
Issue Date:	6 November 2009
Application Deadline:	4 December 2009
Type of Appointment:	Fixed term Extrabudgetary (subject to a probationary period of 6 months)
CCOG code:	2.J.02

Organizational Setting

The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Laboratories are located in Seibersdorf, approximately 45 km south of Vienna. Their main objective is to contribute to the implementation of the IAEA's programmes in food and agriculture, human health, physical and chemical sciences, water resources, industry, environmental management (terrestrial), radiation protection and safeguards verification.

The activities of the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory, employing nuclear and related techniques, are an integral part of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme on Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. The FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory provides support to Member States of the IAEA and FAO to develop agricultural technologies and adapt them to local requirements and environmental conditions with a view to the efficient and sustainable use of these technologies.

The Entomology Unit is one of five units in the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABL) and is an integral part of the Insect and Pest Control Sub-programme. This Sub-programme assists Member States in the implementation of environmentally-friendly and sustainable methods to control major insect pests of plants, livestock and humans through strategic and applied research, technology transfer, capacity building, policy advice, and information management. The Sub-programme focuses on the development and implementation of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) approaches involving the sterile insect technique (SIT) to enhance food security, improve human health, introduce sustainable agricultural systems, reduce losses and pesticide use, preserve biological diversity, and facilitate international trade in food and agricultural commodities etc.

Assignment

Under the supervision of the Research Entomologist (Research Leader of the Tsetse Group) to:

Maintain colonies of different tsetse strains and species and take responsibility for the efficient implementation of all aspects of tsetse rearing.
Assist with the validation of newly developed and improved rearing systems.
Colonize new tsetse populations as required.
Implement experimental protocols as developed by the research leader.
Organize and ship tsetse material on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (or as required) to counterpart institutions, universities, regional and international organisations etc.
Provide training in tsetse rearing to at least two fellows/year.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Good knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and practices.
Ability to work independently but as part of a collaborative team.
Ability to organize working priorities in order to meet programme objectives.
Ability to transfer knowledge to trainees.
Ability to responsively implement experimental protocols and to provide the necessary follow-up.
Ability to record accurately data, to identify problems, to provide suggestions to the research leader.
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education and Experience

Completed secondary education.
At least two years of relevant working experience, mainly with the rearing of tsetse flies.
Experience in an international setting is desirable.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 2003 (Outlook, Word, Excel), which is the IAEA's standard.
English language test (Level 2).
Good knowledge of English. Working knowledge of German an advantage.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at €28 112 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), six weeks' annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance.

How to Apply

Internal and external applicants need to complete an IAEA Personal History Form. Internal applicants are required to apply online at https://personnel.iaea.org. External applicants are required to apply online at http://www.iaea.org/About/Jobs. No e-mail or hard-copy application will be accepted. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered. Applicants who do not comply with the aforementioned application guidelines or do not meet the essential requirements specified in this Vacancy Notice will not be considered.

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. 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 to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.