Consultant – Laboratory 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 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.

The Animal Production and Health Section and Laboratory assist Member States in improving livestock productivity through the efficient use of locally available feed resources, reproduction and breeding practices, and disease diagnostic tools and control measures.

Main Purpose

Under the supervision and guidance of the Laboratory Head of the Animal Production and Health (APH) and a technical officer, the consultant will provide technical expertise to develop technologies that will enhance the irradiated vaccine development, vaccine adjuvant discovery and immune assay development for transboundary animal diseases, and to provide technical input  in capacity building and technology transfer to Member States veterinary laboratories in the framework of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VETLAB) Network.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Design and conduct research activities in the laboratory related to the development and validation of technologies and procedures related to veterinary vaccines development and evaluation, including irradiated vaccines for transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases.
2. Apply and assess novel approaches based on CRISPR technologies in development of novel cell lines for optimizing vaccine production and, verify and develop immuno-assays applicable to transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases and facilitate the transfer of these tools to VETLAB network counterparts’ laboratories in Member States.
3. Provide expertise to the organization and conduction of international trainings, meetings and workshops.
4. Compile and present results for scientific publications and for communication to non-specialised audience.
5. Provide technical advice and guidance for the Member States to implement laboratory tools and technologies developed at the APHL.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required –

Skills and Expertise

•    Preparation of Vaccines

Assets –

Skills and Expertise

•    Animal Diseases

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in biological science / biophysics.
• At least 3 years of working experience in laboratories dealing with immunology.
• Experience and training in CRISPR technology.
• Experience with development and application of laboratory molecular assays.
• Experience with immunological assays for animal vaccine development and evaluation, with reference to porcine viral diseases.
• Experience with project management.
• Experience in working in multicultural teams/international environment.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of €215, 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.