Soil Scientist

Soil Scientist / Plant Nutritionist(P /

Organization:
NAFA-Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section

Primary Location:
Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting:
, 3:33:39 AM

Closing Date:
, 4:59:00 PM

Duration in Months: 36

Contract Type:
Fixed Term - Regular

Probation Period: 1 Year

Full Competitive Recruitment:
Yes

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 Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture.

The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control.

The Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section and Laboratory assist Member States in developing improved soil and water management practices for sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems, the conservation of natural resources and the effective use of external inputs through applied and adaptive research and development activities, technology transfer and capacity building.

Main Purpose

As a member of a team led by the Head of the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section, the Soil Scientist/Plant Nutritionist contributes to the results-based sub-programme relating to the development of improved soil and crop management techniques for increasing soil fertility-soil quality and crop productivity, nutrient management and enhancing sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems through the use of nuclear and related techniques.

Additionally, he/she provides expertise in the evaluation of land management practices that mitigate/reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil resilience to the impacts of climate change and variability, and increase the conservation of land resources for sustainable agriculture.

Role

The Soil Scientist/Plant Nutritionist 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; (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 soil and crop management practices for improving soil productivity and agricultural resource use efficiency and enhancing the agricultural adaptation to climate change and variability.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Contribute expertise to the implementation of coordinated research projects related to land management and crop nutrition, including the evaluation of research contracts and agreement proposals, monitoring the progress of projects, the organization of meetings and the publication of results.
• Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate technical cooperation projects.
• Prepare guidance and review information documents on isotopic and nuclear techniques relating to soil and crop management for improving soil fertilitysoil quality and crop nutrition, nutrient management, enhancing agricultural resource use efficiency, reducing land degradation and greenhouse gas emissions from farmlands, and improving soil resilience to impacts of climate change and variability.
• Plan, organize and conduct scientific and advisory meetings, participate in technical missions, and represent the IAEA at international meetings and conferences.
• Develop novel initiatives and collaborate on relevant crosscutting activities, such as the coordination of work with other international, regional and national organizations, including UN bodies.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Name

Definition

• Planning and Organizing
• Plans and organizes his/her

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