Senior Laboratory Technician (G-6)

Organizational Unit:	Nuclear Spectrometry and Applications Laboratory Physics Section Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
Duty Station:	Seibersdorf, Austria
Issue Date:	24 January 2013
Application Deadline:	23 February 2013
Type of Appointment:	Either a Fixed-term appointment (if the candidate already holds a Fixed-term appointment) or Temporary-assistance appointment (in all other cases) may be offered, both subject to a probationary period of 1 year
CCOG codes:	2.J

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 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 following fields are supported: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in healthcare 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. The Physics Section is responsible for planning and implementing activities in the areas of (i) effective utilization of research reactors, (ii) fostering relevant R&D and applications using particle accelerators and related instrumentation, and (iii) plasma physics and fusion, in order to enable Member States to avail themselves of the benefits of nuclear sciences and technologies. Within the Section, the Nuclear Spectrometry and Applications Laboratory (NSAL) assists laboratories in Member States to improve effective utilization of nuclear spectrometry and related instrumentation through the provision of 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 Senior Laboratory Technician develops instruments and software in the field of control and acquisition of scientific instruments, microprocessor applications and information communication technology (ICT) in order to provide support to R&D projects and training, and technical backstopping support to Technical Cooperation (TC) projects.

Working Relationships

The Senior Laboratory Technician works in a team environment with staff at all levels in the Laboratory on issues related to scientific instrument interfaces, applications of microprocessors, and commercial and open-source software. He/she will be responsible for the delivery of specific task elements in a fast-paced environment with requirements for multi-tasking. Under a project supervisor, he/she will be the lead developer on custom detector design and software packages. This includes extensive interaction with suppliers and fellows trained at NSAL, as well as occasionally with TC officers and TC project counterparts.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Design and implement software interfaces for custom nuclear instrumentation. Design and construct instrumentation for data acquisition and control using microprocessors. Develop ICT training materials and training kits for microprocessor applications. Provide training to fellows and scientific visitors from Member States in the effective use of instrumentation for spectrometry and other applications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Competency with more than one computer programming language, including object orientated design. Comfortable familiarity with practical microelectronics. Interpersonal skills: Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and to establish and maintain working relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Ability to carefully follow laboratory procedures in a safe manner, preferably with experience of working in a nuclear instruments laboratory.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

Completed secondary education. Post-secondary studies in physics, electronic engineering or computer science desirable. Minimum of six years of relevant working experience in the field of instrumentation and measurement technology. Extensive experience and knowledge of interfacing of PCs with scientific instruments, virtual instrumentation and microprocessor applications, preferably in the field of nuclear instrumentation. Experience with nuclear instrumentation, in particular X-ray and gamma spectrometry, an asset. English Language Test (Level 2) to IAEA standard. Language skills: Good knowledge of both oral and written English essential. Knowledge of another official IAEA language (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) an asset.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at €47 536 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), six weeks' annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance.

How to Apply

Internal and external applicants need to complete an IAEA Personal History Form. Internal applicants are required to apply online at https://personnel.iaea.org. External applicants are required to apply online athttp://recruitment.iaea.org. You can find more information about employment opportunities and working at the IAEA at http://www.iaea.org/About/Jobs. No e-mail or hard-copy application will be accepted. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered. Applicants who do not comply with the aforementioned application guidelines or do not meet the essential requirements specified in this Vacancy Notice will not be considered. 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. 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.