Research Project Scientist/Engineer

About this role

Position Summary

The Research Project Scientist/Engineer is an early-career position responsible for supporting IBHS research into how wildfire exposures affect homes, businesses, and communities. Working with IBHS researchers and Research Center teams, this position helps plan and conduct laboratory and field research focused on structure ignition, fire spread, building materials, and practical wildfire mitigation strategies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of laboratory, full-scale, and field research projects.
• Conduct experiments involving wildfire exposures such as wind-blown embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.
• Assist with developing research scopes, test plans, experimental procedures, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate with laboratory, instrumentation, construction, and safety teams to prepare and conduct testing.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and quality-check experimental and field data.
• Use programming, statistical, or data-visualization tools to analyze research findings.
• Participate in field studies and post-wildfire investigations.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, figures, and research summaries.
• Support the translation of research findings into practical wildfire-resilience guidance.
• Follow all research, laboratory, and safety requirements.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in fire protection engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, structural engineering, materials science, forestry, atmospheric science, or a closely related field required.
• Graduate research and/or 1-2 years of hands-on experimental research required.
• Proficiency with at least one analytical tool, such as Python, MATLAB, R, LabVIEW, GIS, or C++, required.
• Eligible to work in the United States required.
• Graduate research involving wildfire, fire science, building performance, experimental testing, heat transfer, combustion, or data analysis preferred.
• Experience with instrumentation and sensor-based testing is a plus.
• Experience with experimental design, statistical analysis, data visualization, and QA/QC of research data is a plus.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development