Postdoctoral researcher
The fire modeling community is working to predict material flammability behavior quantitatively (e.g.,
ignition, burning rate, fire growth). State-of-the-art fire models require input parameters (material
properties) that describe combustible solids' decomposition reaction mechanism (and associated kinetics
and thermodynamics) and relevant heat/mass transport properties.
To address this need, the NIST Fire Research Division has been developing experimental and analytical
tools to calibrate these material properties and validate their ability to predict flammability response
across a range of configurations/scales (i.e., mg-scale thermal decomposition, g-scale
gasification/burning, and flame spread over panels between 0.5 m and 2.5 m tall).
Working with the project leader, the researcher will develop and then lead the execution of experiments
associated with the following tasks.
• Developing a material flammability database that maintains the tools (experimental and
analytical), measurement data (for model calibration and validation), and material property sets
necessary to quantitatively predict material flammability behavior (e.g., ignition, steady burning,
and fire growth).
• Conduct and analyze the data from bench to full-scale thermal and fire property tests for fire
model calibration and validation.
• Produce and present publications on research findings.
Material Flammability Testing and Modeling
- PhD in Engineering (fire protection, materials science, mechanical), Chemistry, Physics, or a related field
- 2+ year(s) of relevant lab experience (i.e., experimental design and testing).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in programming/data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, MATLAB, Python, R).
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to learn new activities and skills.
- Ability and enthusiasm to help lead early-career researchers as part of a research team.
- U.S. Citizen Preferred.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Assisting in the development, implementation, and leadership of a research plan to quantify fire
growth rate, flame structure, condensed-phase response, and mass loss & heat release rate of
combustible solids burning at the intermediate scale (emphasis on materials that deform; e.g., due to
melt flow or charring/smoldering). - Applying and advancing state-of-the-art techniques to quantify the mechanisms controlling material
flammability; iterative development and implementation of analytical tools to process these results. - Development and execution of plans for transferring NIST research through meetings, workshops, and
conferences; preparing and presenting measurement results (oral presentations and written reports).