Team Leader, ESL Chemistry Team (P-4)

Organizational Unit:	ESL Chemistry Team Environmental Sample Laboratory Office of Safeguards Analytical Services Department of Safeguards
Duty Station:	Seibersdorf, Austria
Issue Date:	14 February 2013
Application Deadline:	28 March 2013
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Safeguards is the organizational hub for the implementation of IAEA safeguards. The IAEA implements nuclear verification activities for more than 170 States in accordance with their safeguards agreements. The safeguards activities are undertaken within a dynamic and technically challenging environment including advanced nuclear fuel cycle facilities and complemented by the political diversity of the countries. The Department of Safeguards consists of six Divisions: three Operations Divisions: A, B and C, for the implementation of verification activities around the world; three Technical Divisions: Division of Concepts and Planning, Division of Information Management, and Division of Technical and Scientific Services; as well as two Offices: the Office of Safeguards Analytical Services and the Office of Information and Communication Services. The Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of nuclear material and environmental swipe samples, as well as the coordination of logistics and the Network of Analytical Laboratories (NWAL). Located about 45 km southeast of Vienna in Seibersdorf, the office is organized into three sections: the Nuclear Material Laboratory including the On-Site Laboratory (OSL) in Japan, the Environmental Sample Laboratory and the Coordination and Support Section. The Environmental Sample Laboratory is responsible for the receipt, screening, analysis and distribution of environmental samples submitted by IAEA inspectors.

Main purpose

The Chemistry Team Leader is responsible for ensuring the accurate, precise and timely analysis of actinide elements in environmental samples using chemical separation methods prior to measurement by mass spectrometric and radiometric techniques.

Role

The Chemistry Team Leader is: 1) a supervisor of four staff members performing the chemical preparation, handling of environmental samples, preparing clean sampling materials and operating clean-room laboratories; and 2) a project manager, setting priorities and monitoring the quality of the results according to safeguards requirements.

Partnerships

The Chemistry Team Leader works with other chemists and laboratory staff to accomplish the work involved in the management, treatment, analysis and reporting of environmental samples. The Chemistry Team Leader works closely with experts in the Mass Spectrometry and Radiometry Teams of the Environmental Sample Laboratory and with maintenance staff to ensure that the clean-room laboratory areas achieve the environmental conditions needed to accomplish the work. The Chemistry Team Leader maintains contact with the international scientific community, with Member State experts through Support Programme tasks and with other staff in the Department of Safeguards.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Supervise the preparation of up to 1200 sampling kits and the receipt, archiving and retrieval of up to 1000 environmental samples per year; maintain the sample archive and the Environmental Sample Laboratory database. Supervise and participate in the analysis of up to 50 non-radioactive and 50 radioactive environmental samples per year, reporting on the content and isotopic composition of U, Pu and other actinides, as well as other elements upon special request. Supervise the production of quality control materials for checking the performance of network laboratories as well as for internal quality control of the Environmental Sample Laboratory results. Develop, as needed, analytical methods for special sample types or analysts upon request from the Department of Safeguards Operations or Data Evaluation sections. Supervise the maintenance and daily operation of the clean-room laboratories in the Environmental Sample Laboratory ensuring that the laboratory areas meet the requirements for cleanliness, pressure, temperature and humidity. Keep abreast of developments in the field of environmental sample analysis and plan for the implementation of improved methods.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Expert knowledge of chemical treatment applied to environmental samples for the analysis of U, Pu and other actinide elements. Knowledge of and experience with the preparation of sample aliquots for TIMS, ICMP-MS, alpha spectrometry, XRF spectrometry. Interpersonal skills: Ability to effectively supervise a technical team including professional chemists and laboratory technicians; Ability to communicate effectively for the setting of goals and priorities with technical staff and other stakeholders; Ability to work in an international and/or multicultural environment; High level of attention to detail and careful working habits, as well as the ability to foster such habits in subordinate staff.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

Advanced university degree (preferably a PhD) in chemistry; Minimum of seven years of experience in analysing actinide elements (primarily U, Pu and Am) in environmental samples at the ultra-trace (femtogram - nanogram) level; Experience in preparing samples for measurement by instrumental techniques such as TIMS, ICMP-MS, alpha/gamma spectrometry or XRF; Experience in working in an ISO Class 5 clean-room laboratory and extensive experience in maintaining such cleanliness levels; Experience in working under a formal quality management system such as ISO-9001 or with methods accredited under a standard such as ISO-17025; Experience in supervising technical staff; Experience in working with radioactive materials an asset; Proficiency in spoken and written English.

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 $42 447*, 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. 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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.