Research Scientist (Marine Organic Contaminants)
Organizational Setting
The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA's Major Programme 2, "Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection". This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on 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 IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories consists of three laboratories, which are located in Monaco. The Division supports Member States in enhancing their capacity to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to understand marine and atmospheric environmental processes and dynamics, and to identify and address environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants and climate change.
The Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory (MESL) is the analytical support centre for isotopic and elemental analysis of trace elements, organic contaminants and long-lived radionuclides in the marine environment. It provides reference materials, recommends procedures and carries out proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparisons for quality assurance programmes for the determination of non-nuclear contaminants. It implements marine monitoring programmes in collaboration with regional laboratories, and provides training in analytical techniques and metrology in chemistry.
Main Purpose
The Research Scientist (Marine Organic Contaminants) provides scientific and technical guidance to the Organic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory within MESL, under the supervision of the Section Head. The position is responsible for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of MESL’s analytical capabilities for the determination of organic contaminants and compound-specific stable isotopes in marine environmental matrices. Through method development, technical coordination of analytical activities, quality assurance and capacity-building activities, the Research Scientist supports IAEA regular and extrabudgetary programmes by delivering high-quality analytical tools and data, quality assurance products that underpin studies on marine pollution, climate change processes, seafood safety, and ecosystem health. The role contributes directly to a results-oriented response to Member States’ priorities by strengthening global analytical comparability, reference standards, and technical expertise in marine organic contaminants analysis.
Role
The Research Scientist is a technical specialist responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing technical activities related to organic contaminant and stable isotope analysis within MESL. This includes coordinating laboratory workflows and analytical operations using GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and GC-IRMS platforms, and providing technical guidance in the development, validation and application of analytical methodologies addressing both regulated and emerging contaminants.
The incumbent ensures the effective implementation and continuous improvement of laboratory quality management systems, organises interlaboratory comparison exercises and proficiency testing schemes, and coordinates the production and certification of marine reference materials. In addition, the Research Scientists supports capacity building by providing technical training and scientific guidance to scientists from Member States, contributing to the harmonisation of analytical practices and the generation of reliable, internationally comparable data in support of marine environmental protection and seafood safety.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Coordinate and implement activities of the Organic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory within MESL, ensuring the timely, effective and high-quality delivery of laboratory outputs aligned with IAEA programme priorities related to organic contaminants and stable isotopes analysis.
Lead the development, validation, and application of advanced analytical methodologies for the determination of organic contaminants and compound-specific stable isotopes in marine matrices, ensuring that analytical capabilities remain scientifically robust, innovative and responsive to emerging contaminants and evolving Member States needs.
Provide technical training and scientific guidance to staff as well as Member States scientists and fellows, in the use of GC-MS, LC-MS and GC-IRMS techniques for organic contaminants and compound-specific stable isotopes analysis.
Oversee and perform as required organic contaminants and compound-specific stable isotopes analyses on marine samples generated under MESL’s regular and extrabudgetary programmes, as well as samples provided by NAML’s other Sections.
Organise and deliver training courses on the determination of organic contaminants (such as Persistent Organic Pollutants, Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Flame Retardants, etc.) in the marine environment and seafood, covering sampling, laboratory QA/QC procedures, instrumental analyses, and the design of monitoring programmes.
Organise and implement international intercomparison exercises, laboratory proficiency tests, and technical mission visits to Member States' laboratories, supporting the harmonisation of quality assurance practises and continuous improvement in analytical performance among Member States' laboratories.
Coordinate the production, characterisation, and certification of high-quality marine Reference Materials for organic pollutants, ensuring their scientific validity, timely availability, effective use by Member State laboratories for quality control, method validation, and capacity-building activities
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve laboratory quality management systems, including method performance evaluation, quality assurance procedures, and compliance with relevant international standards, to ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and internationally comparable analytical data and quality assurance products.
Contribute to the documentation, interpretation, and dissemination of scientific results through technical reports, internal documentation, and peer-reviewed publications, supporting programme delivery, institutional knowledge, and international scientific exchange.
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Judgement/decision making | Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards. |
| Partnership building | Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals. |
| Technical/scientific credibility | Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Analytical Chemistry | Thorough knowledge in analytical techniques for the determination of organic contaminants in environmental marine samples and seafood. Robust experience in analytical method development. |
| Environment | Environmental Analytical Techniques | Thorough knowledge of marine environmental processes and the application of analytical techniques to monitor and assess organic contaminants in the marine environment. |
| Environment | Quality Management | Knowledge of laboratory Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures. |
Asset Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Metrology | Reference Materials Production | Experience of Reference Materials production and the organisation of inter-laboratory studies. Knowledge of associated data quality management procedures. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Bachelor's Degree - University degree in chemistry (analytical/organic focus), in Environmental/Marine Chemistry or a closely related Environmental Science or Marine Science degree backed by substantial analytical chemistry training. A PhD would be an asset.
A minimum of five years' relevant experience using analytical techniques for the determination of organic contaminants in marine samples, including routine instrument operation and maintenance.
Experience in data quality management, interlaboratory studies, proficiency tests and the production of reference materials desirable.
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $71335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variablepost adjustment [link removed]which currently amounts to US $ 42016*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy [link removed], education grant [link removed], relocation [link removed] and repatriation expenses [link removed]; Other benefits include 6 weeks' annual leave, home leave travel [link removed], pension plan [link removed]and health insurance. [link removed] More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions [link removed]
General Information
- The IAEA's paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
- Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person's race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
- The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly 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 [link removed], Professionalism [link removed] and Respect for diversity [link removed].
- The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
Evaluation process
- The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
- Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Appointment information
- Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
- Staff members may be assigned to any location.
- Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy [link removed] and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
- 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.
