Laboratory Technician (Insect Pest Control Laboratory) (G3)
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 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 and environmental protection.
The Insect Pest Control Section and Laboratory assist Member States with the development, dissemination and transfer of sterile insect and related environmentally friendly technologies for the area-wide integrated suppression, containment or eradication of major insect pests affecting crops, livestock and human health.
Main Purpose
Reporting to the Group Leader, the Laboratory Technician provides technical support with the rearing of insect pests (fruit flies, mosquitoes, tsetse flies) for the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL). The Laboratory Technician will maintain insect strains and existing colonies, establish new colonies, organise shipments of live insects as needed, provide assistance with the implementation of experimental protocols, and help with the training of fellows.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Maintain different strains and species of insect pests (fruit flies, tsetse flies, mosquitoes) and take responsibility for the efficient implementation of all aspects of the rearing process (including preparation of diet, collection of eggs and pupae, setting up of rearing cages, maintenance of rearing equipment).
- Colonize new populations of insect pests (fruit flies, tsetse flies, mosquitoes), as required.
- Carry out weekly quality control assessments on samples of insects (pupae or adults).
- Organize and ship live insect material on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (or as required) to counterpart institutions, universities, regional and international organisations etc.
- Provide assistance with the implementation of experimental protocols.
- Provide assistance with the training of fellows.
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. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Completed Secondary Education.
- A minimum of three years of working experience in a laboratory environment.
- Experience with rearing and maintenance of insect colonies (fruit flies, tsetse flies, mosquitoes) an asset.
- Working experience at the international level an asset.
- Knowledge in the use of irradiation sources an asset.
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
- Admin skills test to IAEA standard may be part of the process.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 39488 (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. Non-local candidates will be considered only when no suitable candidate from the duty station is identified and will be subject to local recruitment. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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.
