Consultant – Blue Carbon Assessments Using Nuclear Methods

Overview

Conduct assessments of Blue Carbon habitats using nuclear methods

You have:

• Advanced university degree in Radioecology, Marine biology, Environmental sciences or a related scientific field with a demonstrated knowledge in the field of experimental sciences related to coastal vegetated ecosystems.
• Strong publication record.
• Practical experience on using multidisciplinary techniques.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with proven ability to write and edit reports as well as to make oral presentations.
• Working knowledge of French is an asset.

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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 Environment Laboratories Division consists of four laboratories, three of which are located in Monaco and one in Seibersdorf. The Division supports Member States in enhancing their capacity to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to understand marine, terrestrial and atmospheric environmental processes and dynamics, and to identify and address environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants and climate change. The Radioecology Laboratory applies nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques to improve knowledge about the behavior and fate of radionuclides and other contaminants in the marine environment, and the impacts of climate related changes on oceans and ecosystems. It aims to assist and enhance Member State's capability in the field of radioecology and its applications to ecotoxicology and biogeochemistry.

Main Purpose

The main purpose of this consultancy is to work on the role of Blue Carbon habitats (seagrasses, saltmarshes and mangroves) in sequestering organic carbon at different time scales as a climate change mitigation tool mechanism. This will include the application of nuclear and isotopic techniques to determine C contents and origin (i.e. isotopic ratio d13C in sediment cores) and sequestration rates (i.e. radiometric dating of sediment cores) in collaboration with Member States across the planet. The work of the consultant will be carried out within the framework of the IAEA's Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) Project on coastal dead zones: linking land-based activities to degraded marine ecosystems, as well as in other on-going and/or future projects on the subject.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The incumbent shall:

• Develop and prepare nuclear-based methods to advance our understanding of Blue Carbon sequestration, particularly in determining sediment accumulation rates and associated carbon fluxes using radionuclides as geochrononometers.
• Collect and analyse sediment samples for the Blue Carbon project
• Process all laboratory samples for the Blue Carbon project.
• Produce timely and high-quality data and technical reports on relevant results and interpretations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required -

• Environmental Radiochemistry

Assets -

• Carbon Cycle

• Biogeochemistry

• Marine Geochemistry

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in Radioecology, Marine biology, Environmental sciences or a related scientific field with a demonstrated knowledge in the field of experimental sciences related to coastal vegetated ecosystems.
• Strong publication record.
• Practical experience on using multidisciplinary techniques.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with proven ability to write and edit reports as well as to make oral presentations.
• Working knowledge of French is an asset.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: iaea.org