Soil Scientist – IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is looking for a Soil Scientist

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 Division 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 Division 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 and environmental protection.

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 contributes to the results-based sub-programme relating to the development of improved soil conservation measures and strategies improving soil fertility and quality for sustainable agriculture through the use of nuclear and related techniques. He/she also provides expertise in the evaluation of land management practices that reduce erosion/sedimentation impact, enhance soil resilience to climate change and variability, and increase the conservation of land resources for sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the Soil Scientist contributes to the improvement of nuclear emergency response in food and agriculture.

Role

The Soil Scientist 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 conservation and management practices for improving soil resilience and agricultural resource use efficiency, enhancing the agricultural adaptation to climate change and variability, and improving nuclear emergency response in food and agriculture.

Partnerships

The Soil Scientist engages with national counterparts in Member State institutions regarding project planning and implementation so as to ensure the effective transfer and sharing of technical information. He/she identifies opportunities for collaborating with appropriate UN organizations, particularly FAO, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other international, regional and national institutions. He/she works closely with other land and water scientists within the subprogramme and with other appropriate IAEA Divisions to ensure the effective utilization of technical inputs to both programme design and the implementation of field-based activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Contribute expertise to the implementation of coordinated research projects related to land management, soil erosion and sedimentation, as well as nuclear emergency response in food and agriculture, 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 management for improving soil conservation strategies against erosion and sedimentation, enhancing agricultural resource use efficiency, and improving soil resilience to the impacts of climate change and variability.
• Support the development of guidelines for improved data collection, management and visualization for nuclear emergency response in food and agriculture.
• 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 cross-cutting activities, such as the coordination of work with other international, regional and national organizations, including UN bodies.

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Primary Location: Austria, Vienna, Vienna IAEA Headquarters

Application deadline: May 1, 2015

Read more and apply here.