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 Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control.
The Food Safety and Control Section and Laboratory assist Member States in ensuring the safety and quality of food and agricultural commodities through the development of analytical techniques and application of food irradiation, focusing on the use of nuclear and related technologies in the management of food and environmental hazards and on strengthening capacities for nuclear emergency preparedness and response in agriculture.
Main Purpose
As a member of a team led by the Head of the Food Safety and Control Laboratory (FSCL), the Analytical Chemist (Food Safety) provides expertise on chromatographic, spectroscopic, isotopic tracing and radiochemical techniques and associated chemometric analysis to aid capacity building and research in IAEA Member States, in order to enhance food safety and quality and help meet requirements for international trade in food commodities.
Role
The Analytical Chemist (Food Safety) is: (1) an analyst, developing/adapting and validating analytical methods for food safety and control programme related to compliance with applicable regulatory standards and quality requirements to be transferred to concerned Member Stateโs laboratories; (2) a trainer of personnel in Member State laboratories in analytical methods and related technical procedures, (3) a technical officer, assisting in the evaluation and implementation of technical cooperation projects and; (4) an advocate of laboratory quality assurance/quality control procedures in Member Stateโs laboratories engaged in Food Safety and Control programme.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Adapt and validate analytical/instrumental methods for the analysis of food samples for safety and quality assessments, i.e., for the control of organic and inorganic food contaminants, residues and adulterants, principally using chromatographic, spectroscopic and isotopic measurements and radiochemical analysis.
- Perform statistical analysis, including multi-variate analysis and modelling, for the interpretation and visualisation of analytical results.
- Operate and carry out basic maintenance of laboratory instrumentation, including LC-MS(MS) (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry), GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and LC-ICP-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) instruments.
- Contribute in the preparation and delivery of training materials and laboratory exercises as part of FSCL activities.
- Prepare and revise standard operating procedures (SOPs), elaborate internal quality control methods and collaborate in the maintenance of the laboratory's quality system.
- Evaluate scientific data and prepare technical reports and scientific manuscripts for publication.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework) Name Definition ย Communication Communicates 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. ย Achieving Results Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Divisionโs programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. ย Teamwork Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. ย Planning and Organizing Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Sectionโs priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.
Functional Competencies Name Definition ย Analytical thinking Gathers and analyses information, identifying critical relationships and patterns among data and proposes workable solutions. ย Knowledge sharing and learning Actively seeks opportunities to learn by formal and informal means; learns from others, adopting and sharing best practice. ย Technical/scientific credibility Acquires and applies new skills to remain up to date in his/her area of expertise. Reliably applies knowledge of basic technical/scientific methods and concepts.
Required Expertise Function Name Expertise Description ย ย ย Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Ability to apply analytical methods to assess the safety and quality of food using instrumental techniques (including LC- and GC-MS(MS) and LC-ICP-MS. Interpretation of data using statistical, multivariate and modelling techniques. ย ย ย Food Science Food Safety Good knowledge of food safety programme components, including those arising from food adulteration.
Asset Expertise Function Name Expertise Description ย ย ย Physics Application of Isotopes and Radiation in Food and Agriculture and Environment Knowledge of the application of stable isotope dilution and isotope measurements for the assessment of food safety. ย ย ย Food Science Food Science and Technology Background knowledge of food production and processing techniques with relevance to food safety and control. ย ย ย Food Science Food and Environmental Contaminant Detection Background knowledge of environmental contaminants, new emergent compounds and their relevance to food safety.
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Bachelor's Degree - University degree in analytical chemistry, instrumental methods of analysis, food chemistry or a related discipline. A post-graduate degree in a related field is an advantage.
- Minimum two years' working experience in food safety using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, such as LC-/GC-MS(MS) and LC-ICP-MS.
- Experience in experimental design and the use of statistical methods, multi-variate analysis and modelling for food-related applications.
- Practical skills in the operation and maintenance of analytical instruments, preferably including LC- and GC-MS(MS) and LC-ICP-MS. - Working knowledge of the principles of laboratory quality assurance and quality control procedures, preferably based on ISO 17025 requirements.
- Strong presentation and communication skills and ability to communicate project results effectively to diverse audiences.
- Confirmed ability to write and edit scientific and technical reports.
- Familiarity with the needs and conditions of developing countries would be an advantage. Experience in teaching or providing training in laboratory activities is an advantage.
- 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 $55163 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 28740*, 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.