Consultant – Radiation Metrologist

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 Division of Human Health is organized into four Sections whose objectives are to enhance the capabilities of Member States to address needs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health problems through the development and application of nuclear techniques within a framework of quality assurance.

The Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section (DMRP) is responsible for quality assurance and metrology in radiation medicine. The Section works closely with clinical colleagues of the Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy Section and the Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section. Specifically, DMRP provides technical support in medical physics to ensure the safe and effective applications of nuclear technology in radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. It operates the Dosimetry Laboratory located at the Agency’s Laboratories, Seibersdorf, and provides a dosimetry calibration service and a dosimetry auditing and verification service for Member States.

Main Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to perform measurements either for calibration and/or comparisons requested by the Member States laboratories, analyse data and issue related certificates. The consultant will work with the dosimetrists in the laboratory and perform calibrations, dosimetry measurements, processes data, analyse the results of measurements, estimate measurement uncertainties, and contributes to laboratory developments to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Functions / Key Results Expected

-Provide technical expertise in the implementation of DOL dosimetry calibration services and inter-laboratory comparisons by performing calibrations of ionization chambers and dosimetry systems, data processing, reviewing, and analyzing, estimating measurement uncertainties and the preparation of dosimetry calibration certificates and reports.
-Interact with counterpart laboratories from Member States requesting calibration and inter-laboratory comparisons to facilitate service delivery.
-Interact with counterparts from Primary Standards Dosimetry laboratories to schedule calibration and needed comparisons for the IAEA reference standards, co-ordinate the shipment of equipment, review calibration data against historical data, perform measurements for comparison, and provide reports.
-Provide input and technical expertise to the DOL developmental work by proposing new technical solutions and improvements and by formulating suggestions for development of DOL calibrations and electronic data analysis tools.
-Participate and provide technical advice in the implementation of the DOL quality management system (QMS); provide input for review and update of calibration procedures in the DOL QMS; execute quality control procedures for DOL secondary standard dosimetry system; conduct dosimetry measurements and analyze results; identify deviations and possible causes and trends and suggest improvements in DOL operating procedures including equipment quality control.
-Provide training to fellows and conduct scientific visits.
-Participate in the implementation of DOL radiation protection and safety activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Assets –

Skills and Expertise

•    Dosimetry

•    Analytical Techniques

•    Secondary Standards Dosimetry Calibration

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree – Radiation Physics or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years’ work experience in a dosimetry calibration laboratory, performing calibration of ionisation chambers independently and working in a laboratory with a quality management system in line with ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
• Ability to understand hardware and software of systems used for data acquisition.
• Experience with Microsoft package especially excel for data analysis.

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.