Soil Scientist (P-4)
Organizational Unit: | Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications |
Duty Station: | Seibersdorf, Austria |
Issue Date: | 16 November 2012 |
Application Deadline: | 28 December 2012 |
Type/Duration of Appointment: | Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year) |
Organizational Setting |
The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA's major programme on nuclear techniques for development and environmental protection (Major Programme 2). This major programme comprises individual programmes in 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 marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes. The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture is located in the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications of the IAEA in Vienna. The Joint Division assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. It does so by coordinating and supporting applied research, providing technical and advisory services to Member State field projects as well as laboratory support and training, and collecting, analysing and disseminating information. The Joint Division consists of five sections, each with an associated laboratory, 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 associated laboratories are part of the FAO/IAEA Agriculture & Biotechnology Laboratories (ABL) located in Seibersdorf, 45 km southeast of Vienna. The Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section and its Laboratory, assist Member States in developing improved soil and water management practices for sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems through applied and adaptive R&D activities, technology transfer and capacity building. The Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory, through the application of nuclear techniques, focuses on the development of methodologies and cost-effective soil-water technology management packages to: (i) improve soil quality and fertility for crop nutrition and production; (ii) increase on-farm and area-wide nutrient and water use efficiency to combat water scarcity and prevent the inefficient use of applied fertilizers; and (iii) minimize the impacts of climate change on agricultural soil and water management. |
Main purpose |
As a member of a team led by the Laboratory Head, the Soil Scientist contributes to the results-based subprogramme relating to the development of improved soil conservation measures and improving soil fertility-soil quality for sustainable agriculture through the use of nuclear and related techniques. |
Role |
The Soil Scientist is: (1) a technical officer and research coordinator, ensuring the efficient and effective development, implementation and dissemination of research, training, and scientific and technical knowledge, and assisting in the evaluation and implementation of technical cooperation projects for the IAEA and FAO in the area of land degradation, soil erosion and soil fertility-soil quality; (2) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and project review missions; (3) a facilitator, working with Member States to meet their national and regional agricultural development objectives, and; (4) liaison with relevant stakeholders on issues related to the transfer of sampling and analytical technologies to Member States. |
Partnerships |
The Soil Scientist engages with national counterparts in Member State institutions regarding project planning and implementation so as to ensure the effective transfer and sharing of technical information. He/she identifies opportunities for collaborating with appropriate UN organizations, particularly FAO, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other international, regional and national institutions. The incumbent works closely with other land and water scientists within the subprogramme and with other appropriate IAEA Divisions to ensure the effective utilization of technical inputs to both subprogramme design and the implementation of laboratory and field-based activities. |
Functions / Key Results Expected |
Under the general guidance of the Head of the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory in Seibersdorf and the Head of the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division located at Headquarters:
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities |
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Education, Experience and Language Skills |
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Remuneration |
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $67 483 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $37 925*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave,pension plan and health insurance. How to apply to the IAEA Complete an Online Application * Subject to change without notice |
Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. 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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process. |
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