Company Description

THE OECD

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

THE NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency which operates under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD). It facilitates co-operation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters and law. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international co‑operation, the scientific, technological and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It strives to provide authoritative assessments and to forge common understandings on key issues as input to government decisions on nuclear technology policies.

The NEA Division of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning (RWMD) provides Secretariat support and implements the programme of work of the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and the Committee for Decommissioning and Legacy Management (CDLM).

THE POSITION

The NEA is looking for a nuclear scientist with relevant experience in the area of radioactive waste management and decommissioning to support the work of the RWMD. The candidate will support the project co-ordinator and database manager for the NEA Thermochemical Database (TDB) Project. Under the guidance of the TDB Project Management Board and working with a team of international experts, this will involve the collection and review of relevant technical information as well as the preparation of reports for data users, and work on the database and knowledge management infrastructure. The key output from the project is a set of reliable thermodynamic parameters that can be used to describe the behaviour of radionuclides under conditions relevant for radioactive waste disposal systems and the geochemical environments. The candidate will also provide Secretariat support to the CDLM and RWMC expert groups to deliver their mandate. S/he will work under the supervision of the Head of the Division for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning and will work closely with other Division staff and other NEA staff to achieve the overall objectives of the Agency.

Job Description

The selected candidate will assist the NEA Division of Radioactive Waste Management and the Data Bank in activities as the Junior Radioactive Waste Management Specialist:

• Support the activities of the thermochemical database (TDB) project, which develops and maintains a chemical thermodynamic database of selected chemical elements relevant to the modelling of radioactive waste disposal systems.
• Provide technical and organisational assistance for meetings of the RWMC and its ancillary bodies. This will include active participation in expert groups: guidance and management of the programme of work, preparation and facilitation of meetings, drafting of summary records and other support functions.

• Report on the work of assigned groups to the Agency’s supervising committees and expert groups as well as at international conferences and specialists’ meetings. Provide expert input to and co-operate with other relevant NEA Standing Technical Committees and their ancillary bodies, as the need arises.

Other

• Carry out other related duties as assigned by the Head of Division.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

University degree in chemistry, geology, nuclear physics, nuclear engineering or equivalent qualification. An advanced degree or several years of experience in nuclear research would be an advantage.

Professional Background

• Minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of nuclear science, particularly in the area of nuclear data and radioactive waste management, either through experimental, evaluation or data validation activities.
• Experience in benchmarking of nuclear data.
• An understanding of the development and maintenance of scientific databases /handling large data sets and the latest method of application development would be viewed as an asset.

Tools

• Experience in thermochemical modelling
• Experience with programming, automation, and scripting languages

Additional Information

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviors aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 1); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 1); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 1); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
• There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Communication and Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Contract Duration

• Two-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 67.

What the OECD offers

• Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at 5 741 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

Closing Date

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 28 November 2024, 23:59 Paris time.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, written tests are foreseen early December 2024 and panel interviews are tentatively planned for mid December 2024.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who are nationals of who are nationals of NEA or OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.