Vacancy Notice No. 2008/702
Position and Grade: Research Scientist (P-3)
Organizational Unit: Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory
IAEA Marine Environment Laboratory (IAEA-MEL), Monaco
Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
Duty Station: Monaco
Issue Date: 29 April 2008
Application Deadline: 11 June 2008
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term temporary assistance, 2 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting
The Marine Environment Laboratories (MEL), located in Monaco, are part of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. MEL comprises three laboratories which specialize in radiometrics, radioecology and marine environmental studies. MEL's objective is to enhance the capability of IAEA Member States to understand key marine physical processes governing climate and the transport and fate of contaminants and other elements in coastal environments. MEL uses nuclear techniques for the identification and mitigation of marine environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants. It will achieve its objectives by enabling Member States reliably to assess current and future levels of radioactive and chemical contaminants in the marine environment through the application of radionuclides and isotopes for diagnostic purposes.

The Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory (MESL) is one of three laboratories at MEL in Monaco. It is staffed by three professional and four technical support staff. Working with various UN and regional organizations throughout the world, MESL provides technical support for the monitoring and assessment of marine pollution. Research focuses on case studies of metal and organic contaminants in the marine coastal zone. MESL supports marine analytical chemistry by producing marine reference materials, organizing global intercomparison exercises, and running training courses for the analysis of pollutants in the marine environment.

The MEL operating environment is dynamic and interactive, with inputs to its programmes received from Member States and from technical counterparts in marine scientific institutions worldwide.

Main purpose
As a team leader under the Section Head, the Research Scientist supervises and develops MEL's inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) laboratory which carries out trace element and radionuclide measurements in marine samples as required by MEL's regular and extrabudgetary programmes, develops new methodologies and trains Member State scientists in these techniques. Also, the Research Scientist produces marine reference materials and organizes global intercomparison exercises.

Role
The Research Scientist is a technical specialist, designing programmes and supervising ICP-MS sample preparation and the scientific activities of at least 1 laboratory technician, as well as trainees and fellows, as required; a laboratory manager responsible for overseeing the entire inorganic unit, including AAS, mercury and methylmercury analysers; and a quality manager for the unit, providing oversight on intercomparison exercises and proficiency tests.

Partnerships
The Research Scientist builds networks with scientists and technical staff from Member States' laboratories in training activities and advises them on issues related to methodology and monitoring contaminants in the marine environment. The incumbent also builds on existing working relationships with staff of the IAEA and other UN system organizations, including collaboration on technical cooperation activities with other international organizations such as UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), GEF (Global Environment Facility), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), or international projects sponsored by bodies such as the European Union, to ensure the effective utilization of technical inputs to marine pollution monitoring programme design and implementation.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Upgrade, optimize, and develop MEL's ICP-MS to enable rapid and ultrasensitive studies of the environmental distributions and behaviours of trace elements and radionuclides, enabling the laboratory to meet the research and training demands of MESL.
  • Train and supervise personnel, as well as Member States' scientists and fellows, in use of ICP-MS for analyses of trace metals and radionuclides which can contribute to the diagnosis of contaminant sources and fates, using nuclear and isotopic techniques (IAEA Project 2.H.1.02).
  • Carry out trace element and radionuclide analyses by ICP-MS on marine samples originating from MEL's regular and extrabudgetary programmes and furnished by MEL's other scientific sections.
  • Contribute to MESL's efforts to support quality assurance for Member States by conducting worldwide intercomparison exercises, laboratory proficiency tests, quality missions, etc. (IAEA Project 2.H.1.03).
  • Organize training courses for the determination of trace metals in the marine environment covering sampling, laboratory QA/QC procedures, instrumental analyses, and strategic design of monitoring programmes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Strong analytical skills: Knowledge of methodology for analysis of marine samples for trace metals.
  • Strong practical skills in the operation and maintenance of high-resolution ICP-MS.
  • Knowledge of marine geochemistry/chemical oceanography is an advantage.
  • Planning and organizing: Ability to plan the use of staff and equipment to meet changing customer requirements, to arrange for the procurement of items ranging from routine supplies to complex laboratory instrumentation, and to seek out new analytical procedures or methods with the goal of continuous improvement.
  • Communication skills:
    • Strong presentation skills.
    • Confirmed ability to write and edit scientific and technical reports.
  • Interpersonal skills:
    • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with staff of the IAEA and other UN system organizations, and scientists/technical staff from Member States' laboratories.
    • Ability to work as a team leader in a cooperative manner with other colleagues to achieve collaborative organizational goals.
    • Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • Advanced university degree in analytical chemistry, marine geochemistry/chemistry, or a closely related field.
  • At least 5 years' relevant experience using ICP-MS, including routine instrument operation and maintenance.
  • Experience with sample preparation, isotope dilution analysis, ultratrace analysis (especially radionuclide applications).
  • Experience in data quality management, inter-laboratory studies, proficiency tests and the production of reference materials desirable.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English. Working knowledge of Arabic or French desirable.

NOTE: This is not an established Agency post. It is fixed term temporary assistance post, subject to the availability of funds.

Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $52 408 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $40 511*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance.

How to apply to the IAEA

* Subject to change without notice

Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged

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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.