Consultant-Laboratory Scientist

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IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Thursday 22 Apr 2021 at 21:59 UTC

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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 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

The purpose of the consultancy is to expand research and development activities of the Animal Production and Health Laboratory (APHL) for the detection and surveillance of emerging zoonotic diseases and priority transboundary animal diseases. The work will focus on assisting APHL and Member State (MS) laboratories in the design, implementation and verification of laboratory diagnostic tools for the early and rapid detection and surveillance of novel, zoonotic virus diseases (primarily but not exclusively SARS-CoV2 and related coronavirus infections) at the human-animal interface.

The incumbent is expected to transfer the developed and validated technologies and assays to selected laboratories through the IAEA/FAO Veterinary Laboratory Network (VETLAB) in Asia and Africa. The transfer will include serological and molecular assays for pathogens confirmation, outbreak investigation and disease surveillance. The incumbent will be involved in the activities of the IAEA/FAO VETLAB platform and Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) project which are critical towards the delivery of disease diagnostic technologies and their harmonization in Member Countries. The incumbent will also contribute to the maintenance of virus and serum repository, the organization of interlaboratory test conducted by APHL or other collaborating institutions, as well as workshops, expert meetings and symposium organized by APHL on thematic areas relevant to this position. Furthermore, the incumbent will be requested to conduct part of the scientific and technical activities in high containment laboratory and perform other duties, as required by the Head of APHL based on Member States needs and requests. Furthermore, the incumbent will contribute to the APHL activities aiming at strengthening pathogen detection capabilities in Member States through training, supervision of fellows and interns.

Functions / Key Results Expected

  • Validate sensitive and specific serological tests, including multiplex assays, and transfer the technology to Member States for the serological surveillance of emerging and priority viral diseases, including the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Facilitate R&D activities related to ZODIAC Project.
  • Organize and ensure the quality control of a repository of sera and samples for validation/verification of laboratory assays.
  • Disseminate results and transfer knowledge of the diagnostic and surveillance tools for important transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases.
  • Facilitate meetings, workshops, fellowships and trainings to strengthen and improve Member States capabilities in pathogen detection and characterization.
  • Facilitate inter−laboratory trials for important transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases.
  • Provide technical advice and guidance for the Member States under PUI−Asia and PUI−Africa to implement disease diagnostic and molecular epidemiological tools.
  • Write and publish manuscripts on validation of laboratory assays and virus characterization

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Biochemistry
  • Animal Diseases an asset.

Qualifications and Experience

  • University degree in Medical Sciences or Biochemistry related fields.
  • Minimum four years of working experience in medical or veterinary laboratories dealing with infectious diseases.
  • Experience with application of serological and molecular assays for pathogen detection and characterization and with research and development of serological assays for animal infectious diseases.
  • Experience with specific laboratory platforms for molecular/serological assays (e.g. LIPS, Luminex, ELISA).
  • Experience in protein expression and purification.
  • Experience with the organization and conducting of inter-laboratory trials.
  • Experience with the organization and conducting of international trainings.
  • Experience in working in high security laboratory (BSL3).
  • Good oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: iaea.org