Consultant (home based) - Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA)

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 Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields\: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.

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

The consultant will provide technical expertise to the NAPC Isotope Hydrology Laboratory in designing the IAEA Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) system appropriate for the scientific needs of the Section and the technical capacity of the laboratory for radio-krypton analysis.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• In close collaboration with scientific and technical staff in the Isotope Hydrology Section, determine the scientific and operational requirements for an IAEA ATTA system.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to design an ATTA system specifically for Krypton-81 and Krypton-85 isotopic analysis 
  appropriate for installation in the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory at the IAEA.
• Develop a comprehensive list of materials and parts, incorporating the latest advancements in experimental physics and ATTA 
  technology, ensuring the system meets scientific and operational requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Isotope Hydrology
• Data Management an asset

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree (PhD) in physics or related field.
• Minimum three to five years of working experience in academic institutions or analytical laboratories.
• Knowledge of Atom Trap Trace Analysis and Kr-81 analysis essential.
• Good knowledge of oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 300, 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.