Micro Particle Analyst (LG-SIMS)(P3)

Job Description

Organization

Organization

: SGAS-Micro Particle Analysis Team

Primary Location

Primary Location

: Austria-Lower Austria-Seibersdorf-IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf

Job Posting

Job Posting

: 2025-06-20, 2:22:04 PM

Closing Date

Closing Date

: 2025-07-11, 9:59:00 PM

Duration in Months : 12

Contract Type : Fixed Term - Extrabudgetary

Full Competitive Recruitment : Yes

This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.

Organizational Setting

The Department of Safeguards carries out the IAEA’s duties and responsibilities as the world’s nuclear inspectorate, supporting global efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The primary role of the Department is to develop and implement IAEA safeguards to ensure that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful activities and no indications of undeclared nuclear material or activities in a State as a whole.

The Department comprises nuclear safeguards inspectors, responsible for carrying out inspections and verifications of all-safeguards relevant information for nuclear facilities in over 180 States; and technical staff responsible for a wide range of activities including: developing concepts and approaches for implementing safeguards; developing and maintaining safeguards equipment; providing analytical and laboratory services for sample analysis; collecting, evaluating and analysing safeguards-relevant information; providing information and communication technology infrastructure and services; and providing programme coordination support.

The Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of inspection samples collected in the field. Located about 45 km south of Vienna in Seibersdorf, SGAS is organized into three sections: the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML), the Environmental Sample Laboratory (ESL) and the Coordination and Support Section (CSS). The laboratory sections conduct the screening, chemical treatment and measurement of the inspection samples. The Coordination and Support Section provides a variety of key services to the laboratories, as well as managing the network of analytical laboratories. SGAS also manages analytical and inspection activities in a dedicated On-Site Laboratory at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in Japan.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Micro Particle Analyst measures and analyses fast-track and high priority safeguards inspection samples using LG-SIMS to support the Department’s verification and monitoring activities. The Micro Particle Analyst plans the sample workflow and coordinates with counterparts in SGAS and the Department of Safeguards to maximize the LG-SIMS capacity for fast-track samples. In addition, he/she actively contributes to the maintenance of instruments and quality control of measurements, ensuring the timely delivery of quality-assessed results to the Department of Safeguards.

Role

The Micro Particle Analyst is: (1) an expert in the analysis of samples using LG-SIMS, with a commitment to accuracy and precision; (2) a technical specialist, coordinating and performing inspection sample analysis and promoting the continual improvement of quality within the laboratory; and (3) a troubleshooter of complex technical issues, improving analytical processes, and implementing new procedures for sample analysis.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Prepare and analyse fast-track, high priority samples using LG-SIMS in accordance with service deadlines (target: 8 samples per month with a reporting time of 10 days).
Ensure the highest level of cleanliness to prevent cross-contamination of the samples in the ISO Class 5 clean laboratory.
Provide peer-reviews of LG-SIMS results before reporting.
Take part in testing, validating, and troubleshooting LG-SIMS instruments (both instrumental and experimental) and work closely with manufacturers to ensure the smooth implementation of hardware and software upgrades.
Ensure analytical and laboratory processes are compliant with the SGAS Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015).
Identify and communicate to management the need for upgrading or replacing analytical equipment, draft technical specifications, and perform technical evaluations for new equipment.
Act as a focal point for other external laboratories on state-of-the-art measurement systems.

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.

Name

Definition

Commitment to continuous process improvement Plans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements.

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

Physics Mass Spectrometric Isotope Ratio Measurements Expertise in inorganic isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Physics Mass Spectrometry In-depth knowledge of inorganic mass spectrometers.

Physics Metrology Demonstrated knowledge of uncertainty estimation of analytical measurements.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Bachelor's Degree - University degree in physical sciences, geosciences or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in carrying out method development, sample preparation and analysis, and data processing relevant to high sensitivity or high accuracy analysis.
• Proven experience in LG-SIMS particle analysis.
• Proven experience in testing, validating and troubleshooting of complex instruments.
• Proven experience in a working environment applying an ISO quality management system.
• Experience in electronics.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
• 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 , Professionalism and Respect for diversity .
• 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 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.