IAEA
Direct from IAEA careers
Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst)(P3)
Position details
- Vacancy number: 2026/0112 (016775)
- Organizational unit: SGAS-Onsite Laboratory Team
- Contract type: Fixed Term - Regular
- Duration: 36 months
- Probation period: 1 Year
- Application deadline: 2026-10-12, 11%5C:59%5C:00 PM
This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.
This is a re-opening of vacancy. Candidates who already applied do not need to re-submit another application.
Organizational Setting
The Department of Safeguards carries out the IAEA’s duties and responsibilities as the world’s nuclear inspectorate, supporting global efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The primary role of the Department is to develop and implement IAEA safeguards to ensure that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful activities and no indications of undeclared nuclear material or activities in a State as a whole.
The Department comprises nuclear safeguards inspectors, responsible for carrying out inspections and verifications of all-safeguards relevant information for nuclear facilities in over 180 States; and technical staff responsible for a wide range of activities including: developing concepts and approaches for implementing safeguards; developing and maintaining safeguards equipment; providing analytical and laboratory services for sample analysis; collecting, evaluating and analysing safeguards-relevant information; providing information and communication technology infrastructure and services; and providing programme coordination support.
The Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of inspection samples collected in the field. Located about 45 km south of Vienna in Seibersdorf, SGAS is organized into three sections: the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML), the Environmental Sample Laboratory (ESL) and the Coordination and Support Section (CSS). The laboratory sections conduct the screening, chemical treatment and measurement of the inspection samples. The Coordination and Support Section provides a variety of key services to the laboratories, as well as managing the network of analytical laboratories. SGAS also manages analytical and inspection activities in a dedicated On-Site Laboratory at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in Japan.
Main Purpose
Reporting to the Team Leader, the Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst) contributes to the analytical operations of the On-Site Laboratory (OSL), which is located on the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP) site in Japan. The main assignment of the Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst) is to perform treatments and measurements on nuclear samples for the purpose of IAEA safeguards verification activities. The Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst) also conducts appropriate analytical evaluations, quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) measures in consultation with the OSL Nuclear Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst QA Manager).
Role
The Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst) is: (1) an analyst, carrying out destructive analyses (DA) and non-destructive assay (NDA) techniques on safeguards samples at the OSL; and (2) a safeguards inspector, performing safeguards verification activities by conducting inspections at nuclear facilities and other locations with nuclear material or where nuclear related research and development is performed.
All Safeguards Inspectors are subject to approval by the Board of Governors and acceptance of the designation by relevant countries. The work involves extensive travel and time away from the duty station (more than 100 days a year), including travel and work on weekends and IAEA holidays.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Conduct radiochemical work on nuclear material samples, such as sample dissolution, chemical separation (i.e. uranium/plutonium separation or fission product separation) and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS).
Perform sample processing inside hot cells using master-slave manipulators.
Carry out measurements on different analytical instruments, such as neutron coincidence counters, alpha and gamma spectrometers, hybrid K-edge densitometers (HKED), spectrophotometers, thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS) and densitometers.
Analyse and evaluate analytical data and report analytical results.
Plan and coordinate analytical activities on-site and generate regular weekly reports of activities.
Perform data verification and validation, as well as assessments of measurement uncertainties associated with analytical results.
Ensure that analytical results are obtained under the appropriate authentication measures in force at the OSL.
Implement adequate nuclear material accountancy and QA procedures, identifying the source of any deviation from the required accuracy and/or precision of sample results, and implementing appropriate corrective actions.
Perform routine maintenance of analytical equipment, track maintenance records and analytical equipment performance, participate in periodical calibrations, interlaboratory comparisons and preparation of QC samples, and perform routine QC measurements.
Prepare and carry out IAEA safeguards inspections at various nuclear facilities/sites and collect information for the verification of operators' declarations.
The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA's Radiation Safety Regulations.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| Communication | Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions. |
| Achieving Results | Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. |
| Teamwork | Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. |
| Planning and Organizing | Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| Commitment to continuous process improvement | Plans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements. |
| Partnership building | Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals. |
| Technical/scientific credibility | Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Safeguards | Containment and Surveillance | Experience in the use of seals and cameras to assure continuity of knowledge. |
| Safeguards | Destructive Assay | Expertise in the determination of uranium and plutonium from inspection samples for material balance evaluation purposes. |
| Physics | Mass Spectrometry | Knowledge and experience in the determination of uranium and plutonium isotopic composition by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. |
| Safeguards | Non-destructive Assay | Use of gamma an alpha spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence for determination for material balance purposes. |
| Chemistry | Radioanalytical Techniques | Expertise in the preparation, treatment and measurement of nuclear samples in glove box and/or hot cell conditions. |
| Physics | Radiometry | Expertise in carrying out measurements of uranium-and plutonium-bearing samples with hybrid k-edge densitometry. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Bachelor's Degree - University degree in physics, chemistry, engineering or closely related field.
Minimum of five years of experience in a relevant analytical field, preferably associated with laboratory operations or analytical method development in a laboratory environment.
Sound knowledge and experience of laboratory quality management systems.
Experience of handling uranium, plutonium and other actinides and sound knowledge of related safety procedures.
Ability to perform high quality work in an analytical laboratory, preferably a nuclear laboratory; practical work experience with highly radioactive samples using hot cell manipulators a strong asset.
Understanding of K‑edge absorption principles, X‑ray physics, and mass spectrometry techniques an asset.
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $71335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 35382*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks' annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions
General Information
- The IAEA's paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
- Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person's race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
- The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
- Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
- The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
Evaluation process
- The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
- Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Appointment information
- Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
- Staff members may be assigned to any location.
- Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
- The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.