Consultant – Contaminants of Emerging Concern – Rare Earth Elements in Ocean Waters

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 IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories consists of three laboratories, which are located in Monaco. The Division supports Member States in enhancing their capacity to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to understand marine and atmospheric environmental processes and dynamics, and to identify and address environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants and climate change.

The Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory is the analytical support centre for isotopic and elemental analysis of trace elements, organic contaminants and long-lived radionuclides in the marine environment. It provides reference materials, recommends procedures and carries out proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparisons for quality assurance programmes for the determination of non-nuclear contaminants. It implements marine monitoring programmes in collaboration with regional laboratories and provides training in analytical techniques and metrology in chemistry.

Main Purpose

One of the programmatic activities conducted by the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories involves the advancement of analytical techniques for identifying emerging contaminants in marine environmental samples using nuclear and isotopic techniques. The consultant will provide technical input to the efforts of the Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory (MESL) by refining analytical methods for detecting, quantifying, and monitoring rare earth elements and other inorganic contaminants in seawater. This will be achieved through the utilization of isotopic-related techniques, such as Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (TQ ICP-MS) and High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (HR ICP-MS) equipment. These refined tools will aid Member States in strengthening their monitoring efforts and conducting comprehensive risk assessments of these contaminants of emerging concern in the environment. Additionally, the consultant will participate in studies aimed at better understanding the distribution and behaviour of anthropogenic rare earth elements (e.g., gadolinium Gd contrast agents) in the marine environment and write up results as scientific manuscript(s) for peer reviewed publication.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Develop and optimize methods for the detection and quantification of rare earth elements and other emerging inorganic contaminants by TQ ICP-MS and HR ICP-MS equipment.
• Apply optimized methods for the analysis of seawater samples from various regions (tropical and polar zones).
• Develop and validate methods for the detection and quantification of the speciation of anthropogenic gadolinium (Gd contrast agents) in environmental samples.
• Produce Standard Operating Procedure(s) and/or one internal report(s) of the newly developed and validated analytical methodology(ies).
• Participate and provide technical expertise in experimental studies to assess the impacts and transfer of rare earth elements, anthropogenic Gd in particular, on the ecosystems.
• Provide technical expertise to writing up the results of experimental studies into at least one scientific peer reviewed publication.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required –

Skills and Expertise

•    Measuring Contaminants and Biotoxins in Environmental Samples

•    Inorganic Chemistry

•    Mass Spectrometry

Assets –

Skills and Expertise

•    Environmental  Monitoring and Assessment

•    Environmental Analytical Techniques

•    Marine Geochemistry

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in chemistry, oceanography, environmental sciences or a related scientific field is required. Master’s Degree in the relevant field is considered an asset.
• Experience in chemical sample preparation for the analysis of trace elements in ocean waters.
• Experience in mass spectrometry TQ ICP-MS and HR ICP-MS instrumentation.
• Knowledge on the application of SEAFaSt to pre-concentrate seawater.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of €150, 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.