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 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 Mass Spectrometry Team Leader, the Mass Spectrometry Specialist (TIMS) plays a major role in the measurement and analysis of safeguards inspection samples in the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML) to support the Department’s verification and monitoring activities. The incumbent performs the analysis of actinides by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and takes responsibility for sample throughput, timeliness, and quality control.

Role

The Mass Spectrometry Specialist (TIMS) is: (1) an expert in thermal ionization mass spectrometry analysis of actinides; (2) a technical specialist, coordinating and performing inspection sample analysis, maintaining high sample throughput, achieving timeliness goals and promoting the continual improvement of quality within the laboratory; (3) a troubleshooter of complex technical issues (both instrumental and experimental), improving analytical processes, and implementing new procedures for the analysis of safeguards samples; and (4) a team player working closely with the other members of the Mass Spectrometry Team, as well as with the chemists and radiometrists within the NML.

NOTE: The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas exposed to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Services and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health-monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA’s Radiation Safety Regulations.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Provide technical expertise to support the TIMS analysis of samples containing uranium, plutonium, thorium and americium.
Coordinate the workflow of field samples and quality control (QC) samples to ensure that analytical results meet pre-established timeliness goals and quality requirements.
Coordinate preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment with the instrument manufacturers, electronics specialists and service engineers.
Ensure that analytical and laboratory processes are compliant with the SGAS Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015).
Participate in team efforts to improve mass spectrometry techniques for the analysis of safeguards-relevant samples, and contribute to the implementation of new techniques developed by Member States.
Identify and communicate to management the need for upgrading or replacing analytical equipment, and prepare technical specifications and perform technical evaluations for new equipment.
Maintain current knowledge in the field of mass spectrometry pertaining to high-accuracy actinide analyses by cooperating and communicating with colleagues, members of the NWAL, instrument vendors and the scientific community.

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)

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Asset Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in physical sciences, analytical chemistry or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of practical experience in high-accuracy isotope analysis with mass spectrometric methods, or a minimum of five years of working experience in a radiochemical laboratory combined with at least two years of experience in mass spectrometric isotope analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry or multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
• Practical experience of working with radioactive materials 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 $70212 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 28085*, 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.