Analytical Chemist (Nuclear Material Analysis)
JOB DETAIL
Organizational Setting
The Department of Safeguards carries out the IAEA’s duties and responsibilities as the world’s nuclear inspectorate, supporting global efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The primary role of the Department is to develop and implement IAEA safeguards to ensure that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful activities and no indications of undeclared nuclear material or activities in a State as a whole.
The Department comprises nuclear safeguards inspectors, responsible for carrying out inspections and verifications of all-safeguards relevant information for nuclear facilities in over 180 States; and technical staff responsible for a wide range of activities including: developing concepts and approaches for implementing safeguards; developing and maintaining safeguards equipment; providing analytical and laboratory services for sample analysis; collecting, evaluating and analysing safeguards-relevant information; providing information and communication technology infrastructure and services; and providing programme coordination support.
The Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of inspection samples collected in the field. Located about 45 km south of Vienna in Seibersdorf, SGAS is organized into three sections: the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML), the Environmental Sample Laboratory (ESL) and the Coordination and Support Section (CSS). The laboratory sections conduct the screening, chemical treatment and measurement of the inspection samples. The Coordination and Support Section provides a variety of key services to the laboratories, as well as managing the network of analytical laboratories. SGAS also manages analytical and inspection activities in a dedicated On-Site Laboratory at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in Japan.
Main Purpose
Reporting to the Chemistry Team Leader, the Analytical Chemist (Nuclear Material Analysis) ensures the correct chemical treatment of, and quality control of results from, inspection samples in the uranium, plutonium and spent fuel labs of the NML. He/she also provide technical advise, proposes or develops new chemical treatment methods and/or analytical techniques for unfamiliar sample types or new analytical requests, and oversees supplies of Reference Materials, works and reports associated with the production of in-house reference materials and the analysis of external quality control samples. Upon request from NML laboratory Head be involved in the analytical works of the On Site Laboratory.
Role
The Analytical Chemist (Nuclear Material Analysis) is 1) a team player working with other Chemists and Laboratory Staff in the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML) and reporting to the Chemistry Team Leader, and 2) a technical specialist performing complex chemical separations and sample preparation, improving existing procedures, and modifying or devising procedures for new applications
Functions / Key Results Expected
Plans, organizes and carries out chemical treatment procedures on nuclear material samples submitted for characterization purposes.
Develops new analytical methods to accommodate uncommon sample types and analytical requests.
Resolves calculational errors and/or chemical treatment problems for complex uranium and plutonium samples.
Oversees the of production of in-house reference materials and processing and reporting of external quality control samples.
Assists Section for Coordination and Support in the design, characterization and preparation of test materials for Round Robin or Inter Laboratory Exercises.
Participates to routine analytical works under the established SGAS Quality System in compliance with ISO 9001:2015.
Composes validation and characterization reports for new chemical treatment and/or measurement methods, and for internal and external reference materials.
The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA’s Radiation Safety Regulations.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| Planning and Organizing | Plans 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. |
| 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. |
| Achieving Results | Takes 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. |
| Teamwork | Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| Analytical thinking | Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions. |
| Knowledge sharing and learning | Actively 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. |
| Technical/scientific credibility | Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Analytical Chemistry | In-depth experience with chemical treatment methods for U, Pu, Th, Am, Np, Cm including chemical separation and assay determination, knowledge on nuclear analytical instrument methods |
| Chemistry | Chemistry | Experience with a broad range of standard laboratory chemistry methods and techniques |
| Chemistry | Radiochemistry | Experience with the analysis of actinide and non-actinide radioisotopes using established methods |
| Chemistry | Trace Element Analysis | Experience in the processing and determination of trace elements in uranium samples from different points along the nuclear fuel cycle |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Bachelor’s Degree – Analytical Chemistry or a related field
- Minimum of 5 years experience in an analytical laboratory.
- Demonstrated experience in preparing samples of U and Pu for assay and isotopic determination.
- Demonstrated experience in evaluating measurement uncertainties.
- Experience in working under a formal quality system such as ISO9001 would be desirable.
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (German) is an asset.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $64121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 38408*, 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.
