Laboratory Head (Radiometrics Laboratory)(P5)

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, 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

As a manager and team leader reporting to the Division Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories (NAML), the Laboratory Head leads a professional team in developing and implementing the IAEA’s policy and programme on providing technical support to Member States in the area of marine radioactivity, providing NAMLs programmes with expertise in the monitoring and assessment of radionuclides, and enhancing its role as a networking centre to assist Member States in the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques.
In addition, the incumbent leads the Section’s activities in these areas, ensures the efficacy of the IAEA’s programme on a global level, and is responsible for the management of the Section’s financial and human resources.

 

Role

The Laboratory Head is: (1) a manager and team leader planning, managing, coordinating and supervising the activities of the Laboratory in accordance with Member States' needs, and monitoring implementation. The incumbent provides guidance and managerial support to the team, ensuring that programmes and tasks are implemented effectively by planning [human, technical and financial] resources in the most efficient and effective manner to achieve results; (2) a Section Head, providing advice, analysis and background information to the Director on the formulation of strategies and policies related to the Section’s technical responsibilities, and facilitating Divisional programme implementation; (3) a facilitator of cooperation with other organizations and with other Departments in the IAEA dealing with this area of work; (4) a substantive expert contributor, managing projects of particular complexity and/or sensitivity; and (5) a scientific secretary to international scientific meetings related to marine radioactivity, preparing and editing scientific reports, manuals, proceedings and other scientific publications.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Plan, coordinate, supervise and monitor the implementation of the Section’s activities in accordance with Member States needs, using innovative policies and strategies, quality management standards and a results-based approach.
• Propose and develop new projects on monitoring and assessment of radionuclides in the marine environment, radiotracer studies of oceanographic processes, environmental and climate change studies and provision of analytical quality control services. 
• Oversee the development and use of sampling and analytical methods for seawater, sediment and marine biota, including in situ methods and work on board ship. 
• Oversee the development and application of highly sensitive laboratory methods for the analysis of radionuclides in the marine environment, including an underground counting facility, ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer), TIMS (thermal ionization mass spectrometer), AMS (accelerator mass spectrometer) and synchrotron facilities. 
• Oversee the implementation and further development of RML’s quality management system supporting analytical data quality and certified reference material production with the objective to maintain and further expand RML accreditation.
• Oversee the development and application in situ of underwater measuring techniques for continuous monitoring of radionuclides in the aquatic environment and for seabed mapping of radionuclides. 
• Oversee the development and application of computer models for the assessment of marine radioactivity, for global ocean tracer studies and for environmental change studies. 
• Oversee the development and use of the marine information system MARIS, a database and information sharing platform on radionuclides in the marine environment and oceanographic parameters. 
• Oversee the integration of rapid analytical and in-situ methods and numerical tools for emergency preparedness and response support to Member States in case of nuclear or radiological accidents impacting the marine environment.
• Develop and implement coordinated research projects (CRPs), regularly publish research papers and reports. Lead implementation of regional and national technical cooperation projects and support the coordination of regional and global networks of analytical laboratories. 
• Engage counterparts from Member State institutions and collaboration centres in joint research projects, and represent the IAEA and NAML in international forums, marine conventions and collaborations as relevant to the RML mandate.
 

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)NameDefinition  CommunicationEncourages open communication and builds consensus. Uses tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive information, and keeps staff informed of decisions and directives as appropriate.  Achieving ResultsSets realistic targets for himself/herself and for the team; ensures availability of resources and supports staff members in achieving results. Monitors progress and performance; evaluates achievements and integrates lessons learned.  TeamworkEncourages teamwork, builds effective teams and resolves problems by creating a supportive and collaborative team spirit, remaining mindful of the need to collaborate with people outside the immediate area of responsibility.  Planning and OrganizingSets clearly defined objectives for himself/herself and the team or Section. Identifies and organizes deployment of resources based on assessed needs, taking into account possible changing circumstances. Monitors team’s performance in meeting the assigned deadlines and milestones.

Functional CompetenciesNameDefinition  Commitment to continuous process improvementAssesses the effectiveness of functions and systems as well as current practices; streamlines standards and processes and develops innovative approaches to programme development and implementation.  Partnership buildingIdentifies interests and goals common to the Agency’s partners and its stakeholders to foster partnership building. Promotes collaboration with partners, colleagues across teams and stakeholders.  Technical/scientific credibilityProvides guidance and advice in his/her area of expertise on the application of scientific/professional methods, procedures and approaches.

Required ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Description   EnvironmentEnvironmental Radioactivity MonitoringThorough knowledge in monitoring and assessment of radionuclides in the marine environment, and applications of radioanalytical techniques to marine environmental studies.   PhysicsMetrologyExpertise in quality management and reference materials.   PhysicsNuclear PhysicsThorough knowledge in measurement and analysis of radionuclides in the marine environment, including low level radiometric techniques.   Management and Programme AnalysisProgramme ManagementAbility to lead a research laboratory including results-based budgeting, to identify problems, to formulate, develop and manage research projects on marine radioactivity monitoring and assessment, to write technical reports and scientific publications.

Asset ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Description   Management and Programme AnalysisResource MobilizationAbility to develop partnerships and to raise funds to support programmatic implementation needs.   EnvironmentSea-Going ExperienceExperience in sea going missions aboard research or monitoring vessels to support environmental surveys and sampling activities for marine radionuclides measurement.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master's Degree - In chemistry (radiochemistry), physics (applied nuclear physics) or a closely related science with a strong background in physical and chemical oceanography, radionuclide metrology and numerical modelling. A PhD would be an asset.

Minimum of 10 years of experience in radioanalytical techniques and their applications to marine studies, including considerable experience in low-level counting techniques, computer modelling and radiological environmental impact assessment, of which 5 years of experience with certified reference material production or organisation of proficiency tests in an accredited laboratory environment.

Experience in emergency preparedness and response an asset.

Experience in managing national and international programmes. 

Experience in managing scientific and technical staff as well as scientific research projects. 

Extensive experience/exposure at international level in the area of work. 

Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Experience in writing technical reports and scientific papers. 

Excellent spoken and written English essential. Fluency in French a strong asset. Working knowledge of another official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) an asset.

Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, 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 $103165 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 57876*, 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

Evaluation process

Appointment information