Nuclear Instrumentation Physicist(P3)
JOB DETAIL
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 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.
Additionally, the nuclear science activities carried out by the Nuclear Data Section and Physics Section in the Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications fall under Major Programme 1.
The Physics Section is responsible for planning and implementing activities in the areas of (i) effective utilization of research reactors and and accelerator-based neutron sources, (ii) fostering relevant research and development and applications using particle accelerators and related instrumentation, and (iii) nuclear fusion science and plasma physics, in order to enable Member States to avail themselves of the benefits of nuclear sciences and technologies. It operates the Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory, located at the Agency’s Laboratories in Seibersdorf, which assists laboratories in Member States to improve the effective utilization of nuclear spectrometry and related instrumentation by providing technical advice, training, calibration services, assistance with the modification and development of nuclear instruments and with new applications of nuclear spectrometry techniques in various fields, including energy related applications, environmental monitoring, industry, and the study of cultural heritage objects.
Main Purpose
The Nuclear Instrumentation Physicist acts as the technical lead of the nuclear spectrometry group and reports to the NSIL Laboratory Head. He/she leads activities in the design, modification and improvement of nuclear spectrometry instruments, techniques, and methodologies for effective applications in environment, human health, agriculture, industry, cultural heritage and forensics . He/she also leads R&D projects and develops training activities in nuclear spectrometry and provides technical backstopping support to Technical Cooperation (TC) projects.
Role
The Nuclear Instrumentation Physicist plays several roles in the Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory: (1) a technical lead for the nuclear spectrometry group; (2) developer of new/modified instruments based on nuclear spectrometry together with associated analytical methodologies including Quality Management System (QMS) procedures (3) provider of technical assistance and guidelines to the users of nuclear spectrometry techniques in Member State laboratories; (4) teacher/instructor for trainees in the methodology and applications of nuclear spectrometry techniques; and (5) organizer and contributor to Technical Meetings in the field of nuclear spectrometry.
Functions / Key Results Expected
• As a technical lead the nuclear spectrometry team, supervise regular staff members, as well as temporary staff members, to ensure the effective use of the nuclear spectrometry facilities available in the Laboratory and the IAEA partner organizations under agreements .
• Plan, implement and evaluate projects in nuclear analysis techniques for instrument development with X-ray, electron, and ion-beam facilities in collaboration with technical experts.
• Contribute to the development and modification of instruments based on nuclear analytical techniques for improved characterisation of materials and objects including the preparation and publication of scientific papers and reports.
• Contribute to the development of conventional and computer-based learning in nuclear analytical techniques and provide practical training on methodology and applications of X-ray fluorescence techniques.
• Implement coordinated research projects (CRPs), evaluate, and monitor individual research contracts, organize meetings, and prepare technical reports.
• Provide technical assistance to technical cooperation projects (national and regional) related to the application of nuclear analytical techniques, including evaluation of project proposals, planning, and implementing activities progress reports, technical specifications for procurement requests, review the results achieved and conduct analysis.
• Coordinate/liaise with external institutions and stakeholders, including donor organizations; gather, maintain, and apply knowledge of international best practices and future trends in nuclear instrumentation and spectrometry.
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 |
|---|---|
| Commitment to continuous process improvement | Plans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements. |
| Partnership building | Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals. |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Engineering | Analytical and Instrumental Techniques | Experience in operation and use of x-ray and electron sources and facilities, with significant experience in development of end-station devices, spectrometry instrumentation and data analysis methodologies. |
| Nuclear Engineering | Management Systems for Nuclear Facilities | Knowledge of basic principles of quality assurance and quality control for nuclear analytical techniques. Knowledgeable in operation and maintenance of a quality management systems. |
Asset Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Engineering | Accelerators – Applications in Physics | Knowledge and experience of synchrotron and/or ion beam experimental techniques. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- A first level university degree in Engineering/physical/nuclear/nuclear physics or a closely related science. PhD is an asset.
- At least five years of working experience in nuclear spectrometry, with emphasis on X-ray fluorescence. Working knowledge of Synchrotron Light or Ion Beam analysis is an asset.
- Knowledge of scientific programming and computer applications in support of nuclear spectrometry.
- Practical skills in handling, using, and/or developing custom-made XRF spectrometers.
- Good knowledge and practical skills in sample preparation methods for measurement using different X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis techniques.
- Substantial experience in conceiving, formulating and successfully implementing field/research projects in nuclear spectrometry, with emphasis on X-ray fluorescence and related techniques
- Ability to design and carry out experiments at larger facilities such as synchrotron light facilities or low-energy particle accelerators is an asset.
- Teaching and tutoring experience in the methodology and applications of nuclear spectrometry or instrumentation.
- Demonstrated ability both to lead and facilitate work in a team environment with scientific, technical, and administrative staff, and to build and maintain collaborative partnerships across organizational boundaries.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect to sensitivity for diversity.
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Working knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) specifically in French and Spanish would be 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 $ 30265*, 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.
