Nuclear Fuel Engineering Specialist(P4)

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.

Organizational Setting

The Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology (NEFW) comprises the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials Section, the Waste Technology Section, the Decommissioning & Environmental Remediation Section and the Research Reactor Section. The Division seeks to support Member States in building their capacity to access technologies, to share good practices and to develop safe and effective approaches across all aspects of research reactors, nuclear fuel cycle, decommissioning, radioactive waste management and environmental remediation.

The Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials Section (NFCMS) assists interested Member States in the development of safe, environmentally friendly, economically viable, proliferation-resistant and sustainable fuel cycle options and it encourages information exchange on the exploration, mining and processing of uranium and thorium, on the design, manufacturing and performance of nuclear fuels, on the management of spent fuel, and on the development of advanced and innovative nuclear fuels and fuel cycles.

Main Purpose

As a member of the team and reporting directly to the Section Head (Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials), the Nuclear Fuel Engineering Specialist implements the activities related to nuclear fuel design, development and fabrication, in-reactor fuel performance assessment, and/or emerging technologies in the field of advanced and innovative nuclear fuels. This involves: (i) bringing together international experts to prepare state-of-the-art and best practice reports in the areas of nuclear fuel design, fabrication, and performance assessment in normal and accidental situations; (ii) supporting technical cooperation projects of the IAEA TC programme, by organizing expert missions, scientific visits, fellowships, and workshops to develop capacity building in Member States; and (iii) promoting, coordinating and evaluating coordinated research projects (CRPs) on various topics related to nuclear fuel design, fabrication, and performance assessment in normal and accidental situations, for current and next generations of nuclear power reactors.

Role

The Nuclear Fuel Engineering Specialist is: (1) a programme developer and implementer, contributing specialized knowledge and experience to the planning and development of IAEA’s programmes on nuclear fuel design, fabrication, and performance assessment in normal and accidental situations, for current and next generations of nuclear power reactors; (2) a scientific secretary/technical expert, planning and leading Consultancy and Technical Meetings; (3) a technical and project officer evaluating TC projects in the areas of nuclear fuel design and development, in-reactor fuel performance assessment, and/or emerging technologies in the field of advanced and innovative nuclear fuels.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Contributing specialised knowledge and experience to the planning, development and implementation of the IAEA’s programme on nuclear fuel development and performance assessment.
Developing international recommendations and guidance on nuclear fuel development for current and future generations of nuclear power reactors, and nuclear fuel performance assessment with a view to addressing Member States’ specific needs.
Planning and leading moderately complex Technical Meetings/Workshops on nuclear fuel development and performance assessment. This includes proposing their subject, preparing their scope, selecting participants, coordinating the drafting of technical reports and documents, as well as the preparation of e-tools and the maintenance of data bases.
Planning and leading moderately complex or sensitive review missions and training activities for requested Member States. This also includes technical input to the preparation of mission reports.
Evaluating TC projects, developing action plans and planning, organising and participating in seminars, workshops, expert missions, training courses and procurement plans.
Participating and representing the Agency at international conferences and other external meetings.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Name	Definition
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.
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.

Functional Competencies

Name	Definition
Judgement/decision making	Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.
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
Nuclear Engineering	Irradiation Effects on Equipment and Materials	In-depth knowledge and experience in irradiated fuel and construction materials in thermal and fast reactors.
Nuclear Engineering	Nuclear Fuel Management	In-depth knowledge and experience in the design, fabrication, and transportation of traditional and innovative fuels for LWRs, PHWRs and FRs (including fuels for SMRs and with enrichment beyond the 5% limit).
Nuclear Engineering	Nuclear Fuel Performance	In-depth knowledge of performance assessment of nuclear fuels in operation (fuel failures, high power, extended burnups, design basis and beyond design basis assessment).
Management and Programme Analysis	Project Management	Developing, implementing, evaluating projects, and promoting, coordinating and evaluating coordinated research projects.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in nuclear engineering, material science, metallurgical, or a related technical or scientific discipline.

Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in nuclear engineering, material science, metallurgical, or a related technical or scientific discipline with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.

Minimum of seven years of experience in nuclear engineering, including in nuclear power reactor fuel engineering, fabrication and operation.
Experience in managing projects would be an asset.

Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, 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 $77326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 46937, 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.