Consultant - Toxic Element Species measurement in Food

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 and environmental protection.

 

Main Purpose

The main purpose of this consultancy is to contribute to the development of analytical methods for the detection, identification, and quantification of toxic elemental species in food, including sample preparation procedures, in support of the objectives of the subprogramme for the improvement of food safety and food control systems in the Member States regarding toxic food contaminants.  

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Provide expertise to the development and optimization of analytical methods for the detection, identification, and quantification of toxic elemental species in food using liquid- or ion chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-/IC-ICP-MS) technique, including sample preparation procedures.

• Contribute to the development, validation, and documentation of analytical method protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.

• Provide technical input to the preparation and review of training materials related to chemical speciation analysis and LC-/IC-ICP-MS applications.

• Sharing expertise with the team of the Food Safety and Control Laboratory (FSCL) on chemical speciation analysis through lectures and presentation, and hands-on practical training activities.

• Provide technical input to the preparation, review and publication of technical reports, scientific manuscripts and other knowledge products arising from the work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Food Science and Technology

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree (masters) in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Food Chemistry or a related field.

• Minimum five years of experience in Analytical Chemistry, mainly in Chemical Speciation in food.

• Practical research and development (R&D) experience in the development of analytical methods for the detection, identification, and quantification of toxic element species in food employing the liquid- or ion chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-/IC-ICP-MS) technique, as well as in relevant sample preparation procedures.

• Experience in the preparation of technical reports and scientific publications.

• Experience in handling and interpreting analytical data.

• 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 € 250, 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.