Consultant - Soil and Water Management and Chemistry

This is a re-advertisement of the consultancy. Current applications are still under consideration.

Re-submission of applications is therefore not required,

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
Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory, the

consultant will provide technical expertise to the research and development activities carried out by the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear

Techniques in Food and Agriculture. The work contributes to Coordinated Research and Technical Cooperation

projects focused on improving soil and water management using nuclear and related techniques.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and analytical input for developing, optimizing, and

validating laboratory methods for soil and water analysis. This directly supports the IAEA's objective to strengthen

Member States' capacities in sustainably managing natural resources for food and agriculture, and contributes to

addressing global challenges such as land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Provide expertise in enhancing analytical protocols by conducting and documenting at least two greenhouse/laboratory trials using Gamma Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-IRMS), Laser Isotope Analysis, and Infrared Spectrometry, to validate and optimize methods for soil and water chemical analysis.
• Contribute to the integration of data science tools by developing at least two reproducible scripts or workflows in data science programming languages such as Ror Python for processing, visualizing, and interpreting analytical data (e.g. isotopic ratios, infrared spectral data), supporting quality control and reporting for research and training outputs.
• Provide training to staff and fellows in best practices for instrument use, data archiving, and basic data analysis.
• Provide technical expertise for the training of equipment for soil and water chemical analyses in Member States upon request.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition

Qualifications And Experience

• University degree (bachelor) in agricultural sciences, soil science, analytical chemistry or field related to the duties of the post.
• Minimum two years of experience in the use of isotopic and nuclear and related techniques, for analysing soil and water matrices relevant in improving soil and water management, with particular emphasis on Gamma Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-IRMS), Laser Isotope Analysis, and Infrared Spectrometry.
• Experience with computer applications related to laboratory equipment, and experimental statistics, using Ror Python.
• Experience in the use of isotope and related techniques related to soil degradation and/or microbiology is an asset.
• Driving license (Austrian or recognized by Austria) is an asset.
• Good oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration
The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 200, based on qualifications and experience. In case duty travel is required within the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs are provided. Health coverage and pension fund are the responsibility of the incumbent.

Organization
NAFA-Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory

Primary Location
Austria-Lower Austria-Seibersdorf-IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf

Job Posting
, 10:15:00 AM

Closing Date
, 11:59:00 PM

Duration in Months
6

Contract Type
Special Service Agreement - SSA

Full Competitive Recruitment
No