Senior Research Scientist - Fire Modeling

FM•Norwood, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

FM is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to develop scientific knowledge, modeling capabilities, and engineering solutions for fire hazards and fire protection. The role advances computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) to support industrial property loss prevention through research. The successful candidate combines scientific computing, physics-based reasoning, and AI-enabled workflows to improve technical problem solving, research productivity, and practical solutions. This is a full-time, exempt salaried position based in the office at FM’s Science and Technology Office in Norwood, Massachusetts. Relocation assistance is available. Candidates are expected to deliver an in-person presentation during the interview process.

Requirements

Strong fundamental background in combustion, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and applied mathematics.
Demonstrated expertise in CFD modeling, with substantial research experience applying numerical methods to fire, combustion, or closely related reacting-flow problems.
Experience developing, implementing, calibrating, and validating physics-based models using experimental data.
Proficiency with scientific programming and high-performance computing used in advanced numerical modeling.
Experience using modern AI-enabled tools to increase productivity and solve technical problems, with sound judgment to verify outputs and ensure reproducible results.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to develop effective solutions to complex technical challenges.
Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, including the ability to collaborate productively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of physical fire phenomena, including ignition, flame spread, fire growth, heat release, smoke generation and transport, radiation, and fire suppression.
Experience applying CFD methods to fire protection problems.

Responsibilities

Lead internally funded research projects involving CFD simulations for practical engineering applications.
Develop, implement, and evaluate physics-based models and sub-models for combustion, heat transfer, fire spread, suppression, and related fire phenomena.
Integrate AI and machine-learning approaches with physics-based modeling when they provide clear technical value, including surrogate and reduced-order models, parameter estimation, and sensitivity analysis.
Use AI-enabled tools to improve research productivity and technical problem solving, including code development, workflow automation, data assimilation, visualization, and knowledge sharing, while maintaining scientific rigor, appropriate oversight, and accountability.
Collaborate across teams to help design experiments and use test data for model development, calibration, validation, and uncertainty quantification.
Apply fire modeling tools to analyze complex industrial hazards and translate research findings into practical property loss prevention solutions.
Interpret and analyze computational and experimental data and prepare high-quality technical documentation.
Communicate methods, results, limitations, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, including collaborators, clients, and industry partners.
Manage all aspects of project management, including proposals, planning, execution, reporting, and application.