Senior Analytical Chemist (Fixed-Term)

Job Description

Job Summary

This position is part of the OPCW Laboratory, which is responsible to provide efficient support, and technical and scientific advice to the Organisation on verification-related activities. The Laboratory provides training and certifications on equipment and procedures, handles authentic samples taken during inspections, performs research, develops and implements methods for analysis and testing programs, and maintains the OPCW Central Analytical Database (OCAD).

The primary responsibilities of the Senior Analytical Chemist are to support the implementation of a credible verification regime by ensuring that the Laboratory continues to develop its capabilities for analysis of chemicals relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) while operating efficiently by quality assurance standards.

Main Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Laboratory, the Senior Analytical Chemist performs the following duties:

1. Translate knowledge on environmental chemistry into knowledge relevant for the CWC in terms of agent fate, sampling and analysis.

2. Translate knowledge on forensic chemistry into knowledge relevant for the CWC in terms of impurity profiling and provenance.

3. In addition, the Senior Analytical Chemist will provide technical advice, training and support on inspection and verification of analytical equipment-related issues including evaluation of information and documents related to inspection equipment and sample analysis; provision of technical advice and information relating to inspection analytical equipment and verification-related analytical issues.

4. Coordinates research projects at the new Centre for Chemistry and Technology.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential: An advanced degree in Analytical Chemistry or equivalent from a recognized institution. A first-level university degree in combination with extensive relevant laboratory experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Desirable: Ph.D. in Chemistry with a focus on Analytical Chemistry, preferably combined with extensive knowledge on environmental and/or forensic chemistry.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

At least 7 years experience in the field of analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis with an advanced degree or 9 years with a first level degree, preferably from the field of environmental or forensic chemistry;
A minimum of 6 years of recent and practical experience as an operator of GC/MS and/or LC/MS instrumentation;
Specific experience with data analysis and analytical libraries;
Knowledge and experience in environmental and forensic chemistry, as can be derived from publication records.

Desirable:

Experience in chemometrics and database curation is highly desirable.

Experience in project management is highly desirable.

Experience in analytical techniques relevant to forensic/environmental chemistry, such as ICP-MS and IRMS is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

To succeed in this role you will need the following skills and competencies:

• Practical knowledge of GC/MS processing software such as Agilent Chemstation/MassHunter and AMDIS;
• Knowledge of the chemistry of Scheduled chemicals, their nomenclature, precursors and degradation products that are listed in the ‘Annex on Chemicals’ in the CWC, as well as knowledge on methods these chemicals can be analyzed;
• Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control procedures and international standards;
• Strong computer software and electronic data management skills;
• A broad understanding of the various analytical techniques (and their limitations) used by laboratories in the analysis of CWC-related chemicals;
• Basic understanding of modern database methodology and statistical methods for quality control;
• Project management skills (e.g. IPMA or equivalent);
• Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment.

Languages

Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.

Closing Date: 25/10/2022