Senior Laboratory Technician (Analytical Services)(G6)
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
As part of the Nuclear Chemistry Team and under the supervision of the Chemistry Team Leader, the Senior Laboratory Technician (Analytical Services) oversees a wide scope of administrative processes that cover the life cycle of samples in the Nuclear Material Laboratory, from the receipt and registration of nuclear material samples, to the assignment of the analytical instructions, and finally to the assembling, checking and transmitting of the analytical reports to the customer. These processes comply with the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system of SGAS . She/he is the focal point between the customer and the laboratory analysts, and is responsible for assuring the confidentiality of all data associated with the samples.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Register and acknowledge samples and other nuclear material shipments that arrive at NML.
- Ensure completeness of sample data entries to Laboratory Information System (AIMS) and interact for troubleshooting or enhancement with IT developers.
- Assign analytical instructions for routine and non-standard analyses in consultation with the Laboratory Head and/or Information Analysis Section in SGIM.
- Calculate results and prepare analytical reports.
- Quality check analytical results against established quality assurance guidelines.
- Organize and archive confidential receipt and results reports.
- Collect metal seals and combine with official confidential documents for verification.
- Prepare documentation papers for nuclear material shipments for sample, reference material and residue wasting.
- Provide periodic reports for statistical evaluation.
- Oversee the stock of reference materials in order to maintain suitable levels for operational continuity.
- Guide and coordinate activities of the Laboratory Technician (Analytical Services).
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
| 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 | Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions. |
| Client orientation | Helps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met. |
| 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. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| General Services | Logistical Support | Ability to pay attention to detail and sustain chain of custody of safeguards field samples. |
| Safeguards | Quality Management of Analytical Measurement | Ability to work with procedures and suggest improvement of processes as appropriate. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Completed secondary education. Higher education or training in chemistry and/or analytical chemistry is an asset.
- Minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience in total, with at least three years of experience in an analytical chemistry or related laboratory.
- Practical experience working within either an ISO 9000 or ISO 17025 quality system would be considered an asset.
- Practical experience with a laboratory information management system would be considered an asset.
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Spanish) is an asset. Knowledge of German is an asset.
- Administrative skills test to IAEA standard may be part of the process.
Note: In-line with nuclear security requirements, persons undertaking the Senior Laboratory Technician (Analytical Services) role are required to undergo security background checks.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 61171 (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.
