Consultant - Researcher Soil Nutrient Use and Crop Quality

Job Description

Consultant - Researcher Soil Nutrient Use and Crop Quality - (TAL-NAFA20261015-003)

Organization

NAFA-Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory

Primary Location

Austria-Lower Austria-Seibersdorf-IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf

Job Posting

2026-10-19, 2:37:28 PM

Closing Date

2026-11-02, 10:59:00 PM

Duration in Months: 12

Contract Type: Special Service Agreement - SSA

Full Competitive Recruitment: No

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 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 safety and control.

The Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section and Laboratory assist Member States in developing improved soil and water management practices for sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems, the conservation of natural resources and the effective use of external inputs through applied and adaptive research and development activities, technology transfer and capacity building

Main Purpose

This consultancy based at the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory (SWMCNL), in close collaboration with Plant Breeding and Genetics, Food Safety and Control, and Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratories, will focus on carrying out Research & Development (R&D) activities to develop new knowledge and approaches to improve nutrient use efficiency, crop nutritional quality and climate resilience within the Coordinated Research Project (CRP)on "Integrating Nuclear Approaches to Enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency and Crop Nutritional Quality," using nuclear and related techniques. The consultant will identify key research priorities, support the development and implementation of research protocols, coordinate and contribute to CRPactivities and technical meetings and trainings, facilitate collaboration among participating institutes and Seibersdorf-based PhD and MSc students, and publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Carry out R&D activities in the field and laboratory to improve nutrient use efficiency, crop productivity and nutritional quality in cereals, while strengthening crop resilience to climate change, focusing on key nutrients including N, P, Zn, Fe and Sethrough nuclear and related techniques;
• Provide technical expertise in identifying and addressing key research topics within the CRPframework and support the development and implementation of research protocols;
• Provide advice and support in the implementation and coordination of CRPresearch activities, including those of PhD and MSc students under this CRP;
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present findings at scientific conferences;
• Provide technical support for the development and publication of research protocols, guidelines and SOPs;
• Provide technical inputs to technical meetings, workshops and discussions with CRPparticipants and research partners;

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced (PhD) university degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, Physics or Chemistry or any relevant field.
• Minimum five years' relevant post-doctoral experience in plant nutrition, nutrient use efficiency, crop nutritional quality, soil fertility or related areas.
• Experience in nutrient dynamics, plant-soil interactions and/or crop nutrient management.
• Experience in statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
• Experience in laboratory and field trial design, management and implementation.
• Experience in the application of isotopic, nuclear and related techniques.
• Experience in climate-resilient agricultural practices is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate research activities and collaborate with international research teams.
• Proven record of publications in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Good presentation and communication skills in scientific meetings and technical discussions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent 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 € 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.