Postgraduate Research Opportunity in Large Fire Simulation Modeling
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A postgraduate research opportunity in large fire simulation modeling is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS) located in Corvallis, Oregon.
PNWRS conducts research that serves the forest land managers and society, and advances science and management goals. Under mentorship of experts, the participant will interact with various stakeholders in the region to co-produce analysis products based on outputs from FSIM Large Fire Simulator. The goals are to extract highly relevant, practical and therefore applicable information from FSIM simulation results for the stakeholders. The participant also has an opportunity to contribute to a research project running FSIM under future climate change scenarios. The participant will have an opportunity to participate in writing reports and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Specific activities include:
- Study and comprehend the Quantitative Wildfire Risk Assessment (QWRA), a Forest Service-funded study in which FSIM Large Fire Model was run to simulate wildfire risk and behavior for the Pacific Northwest region
- Survey the scientific literature to catalog ways that FSIM outputs have been analyzed and applied
- Meet with multiple stakeholders to comprehend the goals and needs of their projects that use FSIM output. (If restrictions due to COVID-19 are in place, meet virtually or by phone). Stakeholders may include representatives from state, county, and local governments, and universities and NGO's.
- Communicate QWRA FSIM simulation design and outputs to stakeholders
- In dialog with stakeholders, and under guidance of experts, design a plan to analyze QWRA FSIM outputs to meet stakeholder planning needs
- Using analysis software, perform analysis of FSIM outputs
- Explore possibility of integration with socioeconomic analysis of wildfire ignitions
- Explore running FSIM under future climate scenarios
- Make charts for publication in R, SigmaPlot and/or Excel
- Make maps for publication in ArcGIS
- Contribute in writing Forest Service general technical report (GTR) chapters and/or peer-reviewed journal articles
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 1, 2020
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USFS. The initial appointment is for six months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of USFS contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. A health insurance allowance may be provided, and a travel allowance will be provided for attending meetings. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. The appointment is full-time at USFS in the Corvallis, Oregon, area. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USFS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
For more information about the USFS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be close to completing the degree.
This opportunity is available to US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.
If you have questions, send an email to USForestService@orise.orau.gov. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (USDA-USFS-2020-0117) in your email.