Laboratory Head

Laboratory Head (Isotope Hydrology)(P5) - (2023/0152 (005179))

Organization: NAPC-Isotope Hydrology Laboratory

Primary Location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting: 2023-03-07, 12:17:11 PM

Closing Date: 2023-04-04, 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 Isotope Hydrology Section is responsible for planning and implementing the IAEA’s water resources programme. The programme assists Member States in the sustainable management of all aspects of their water resources, but with a particular focus on isotope hydrology. Major activities include internationally coordinated research, global isotope monitoring, capacity building, and technical assistance to Member States to help them with the assessment, development and use of water resources. The Section also operates a well-equipped laboratory for the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes. The laboratory trains counterparts in using analytical techniques for high-quality measurements of isotopes in water samples.

Main Purpose

Role

The Laboratory Head is an established expert in isotopic and nuclear analytical techniques responsible for the operational, programme deliverables, and research activities of the isotope hydrology laboratory (IHL). She/he promotes established and emerging nuclear technologies in water resources assessment and management in the context of coordinated research programmes, technical cooperation projects and related technical/scientific activities. He/she is the supervisor of laboratory professional and technical laboratory staff and their activities, ensuring IHL facilities operate smoothly and that projects are implemented in a cost-effective manner in keeping with quality management standards and result based approaches. She/he is responsible for technical analyses to support the IAEA global water isotope networks (GNIP, GNIR) and contributes to the management of the online databases that hosts the data He/she participates in Water Resources Programme activities such as organizing symposia, advisory groups workshops and technical meetings; participating in technical cooperation missions; conducting coordinated research programmes; writing and editing scientific publications; selecting and briefing technical experts; and organizing training courses. She/he along with the Head of the Isotope Hydrology Section, prepares the scientific programme of the IHL.

Functions / Key Results Expected
- Responsible for the operational and research and development activities of the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory for stable isotopes, radio-isotopes, and noble gas isotopes through efficient management of the human, physical, and financial resources of the Programme.
- Supervises and guides professional and technical staff of the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory involved in isotope analysis and research activities to ensure high-quality analytical results are delivered in timely manner.
- Leads training and capacity building activities for member state scientists.
- Designs and implements inter-laboratory proficiency testing for stable and radio-isotopes to monitor and improve data quality from member state isotope hydrology laboratories.
- Plans, organizes and participates in conferences, workshops, expert missions and training courses related to isotope hydrology.
- Builds and maintains strong strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of stakeholders in Member States research laboratories.
- Promotes visibility of the IAEA water Programme as internal and external representative of the Laboratory, at meetings, workshops, conferences and conducting laboratory tours.

Competencies and Expertise

**Core Competencies**

**Name**

**Definition**
- Planning and Organizing- Sets clearly defined objectives for himself/herself and the team or Section. Identifies and organizes deployment of resources based on assessed needs, taking into account possible changing circumstances. Monitors team’s performance in meeting the assigned deadlines and milestones.- Communication- Encourages open communication and builds consensus. Uses tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive information, and keeps staff informed of decisions and directives as appropriate.- Achieving Results