Research Scientist IV - Fire Safety Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist IV at UL Research Institutes, based in our Columbia, MD, office.

The Research Scientist IV analyzes data, develops mathematical and statistical models, designs test and validation protocols, develops preliminary findings, and prepares written reports that supports the research of the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) and fire risk and resilience science. The Research Scientist IV works closely with other FSRI leaders and researchers to provide applied mathematical expertise, develop and test quantitative methods and models, deliver spatial analytic outputs and products, and other information dissemination associated with fire risk, fire protection, mitigation, safety, and emergency response

UL Research Institutes:

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Fire Safety teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)

UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire safety knowledge to address the world’s unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. As part of UL Research Institutes, we are committed to sharing our fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL’s public safety mission of providing safe living and working environments for people everywhere. Through advanced fire science, rigorous research, extensive outreach, and education in collaboration with our international network of partners, we share with stakeholders the information, tools, and resources that enable them to make better, more fire-safe decisions that ultimately save lives and property. To learn more, visit FSRI.org.

What you’ll learn and achieve:

As the Research Scientist IV, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Utilize tools, resources and software programs to further the mission and vision of FSRI in support of the fire service and greater public.

• Identify fundamental knowledge needed to enhance ULRI’s thought leadership and support the strategy of ULRI.

• Apply intensive and diverse knowledge of data, risk modeling, information analysis, geospatial outputs and other systems/resources to assist with various research projects and safety initiatives.   Work with large and complex data sets related to historical events, fire propagation, climate patterns, geographical information systems (GIS), and population demographics data, often using statistical and computational tools.

• Contribute to the technical development of mathematical and statistical model development to analyze and predict current and future fire risk, including hazard frequency, intensity, temporal factors, socio-economic factors, and spatial extent. This includes, contributing to the design and production of fire risk methods and models, simulation-based testing, new testing techniques, and evolution into large-scale production solutions.

• Apply probabilistic and statistical methods to develop new approaches in quantifying the likelihood and potential consequences (e.g., economic losses, injuries, fatalities) of hazards impacting structures, infrastructure, supply chains, natural capital assets, and human populations – with a focus on fire hazards.

• Work in collaboration with the software development team, informing and testing the ability to apply risk quantification methods and models at a national scale with resulting high performance.

• Provide key input to technical projects, using information from experience and education to positively impact the fire service. 

• Stay ahead of changing technologies, in the field by reading journals and scientific publications, and attending academic conferences.

• Plan, design, and complete initial and follow-up procedures as needed to test and validate results.

• Work with students and teams.

• Assist with the development of education and informational materials to understand data, research, and other findings.

• Present information and findings in various venues as necessary.

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