Hydrology laboratory Technician (G4)
JOB DETAIL
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 Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.
The Isotope Hydrology Section is responsible for planning and implementing the IAEA’s water resources programme. The programme assists Member States in the sustainable management of all aspects of their water resources, but with a particular focus on isotope hydrology. Major activities include internationally coordinated research, global isotope monitoring, capacity building, and technical assistance to Member States to help them with the assessment, development and use of water resources. The Section also operates a well-equipped laboratory for the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes. The laboratory trains counterparts in using analytical techniques for high-quality measurements of isotopes in water samples.
Main Purpose
Under the direction of the Team Leader of the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory (IHL), the Laboratory Technician provides technical support for the preparation and analysis of tritium (3H) in hydrological water samples for groundwater age dating purposes under Radio-Isotope Applications in Hydrology. Technical support includes organization, preparative sample distillation, electrolytic enrichment, and final distillation of samples for the determination of 3H concentration by Liquid Scintillation Counting. The Laboratory Technician also helps to instruct trainees that participate in IHL based tritium analysis trainings.
Functions / Key Results Expected
According to established procedures and quality standards as well as following safety regulations:
- Prioritize and coordinate workflows of samples, in coordination with Senior Staff, identify and report discrepancies in samples. Open records in database (TRIMS) for recording of all sample data and information related to the samples.
- Conduct pre-distillation of environmental water samples with IONEX batch distillation or vacuum distillation, if required. Weigh samples, as required, and record values into the related database. Identify erroneous or atypical results.
- Conduct electrolytic 3H enrichment process of distilled water samples and standard water samples by using the high-performance tritium enrichment units or the standard method. Monitor progress of the electrolysis and identify deviation of expected process/behaviour of equipment or sample(s).
- Conduct final distillation and finish process in the measuring unit.
- Prepare samples for Liquid Scintillation Counting, prepare samples for stable isotope measurements, dead water samples, and other samples, as required.
- Clean equipment and glassware according to required quality standards. Maintain stock of chemicals and other consumables.
- Participate in training, such as for TC fellows and demonstrate the operation and procedures of the distillation and electrolytic enrichment systems of the laboratory.
- Perform other duties as required and related to the Laboratory’s activities, such as ensuring the availability of copper tubes for Helium extraction by preparing and labelling as well as dispose according to standards.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| Analytical thinking | Gathers and analyses information, identifying critical relationships and patterns among data and proposes workable solutions. |
| Client orientation | Establishes effective relationships with clients to understand and meet or exceed their needs. Finds ways to ensure client satisfaction. |
| Knowledge sharing and learning | Actively seeks opportunities to learn by formal and informal means; learns from others, adopting and sharing best practice. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Analytical Chemistry | Understanding and/or experience of laboratory processes such as proper handling, operation and maintenance of laboratory distillation glassware |
| Environment | Quality Management | Basic understanding and application of relevant safety regulations for sample preparation |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- High School Diploma – Completed secondary education with a post-secondary degree or diploma, or equivalent work experience an asset.
- Minimum of four years of relevant working experience.
- Computer skills: Proficiency in MS Office 2010, which is the IAEA standard (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
- Administrative skills test to IAEA standard might be part of the process.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 45695 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks’ annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance
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. 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. 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 with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.
