Post-doctoral researcher in wildland-urban interface fire modelling

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

The Department of Civil Engineering is looking for a…

Postdoctoral researcher in wildland-urban interface fire modelling

The risk of large wildfires that can threat urban environments is expected to increase in Boreal regions due to the longer and more frequent hot and dry seasons. When assessing the consequences of such fires in the vicinity of buildings, computational models play an important role. A key step of modelling is the formation of fuel models that predict the heat transfer, pyrolysis, and heat release from vegetation particles. Aalto University has a already strong group of CFD sub-model development and validation, and the new post-doctoral researcher will extend this research towards forest fuels.

The goal of the research project is to characterize five different fuel particulates from Finnish forests, formulate pyrolysis models and, together with our partners, validate them using laboratory and field experiments. The main computational tool will be FDS. Model development includes creation of a particle cloud description from remote sensing data.

What we offer

The research is funded by the Finnish Fire Protection Fund. The initial contract will be made for 2.5 years.

The selected candidate will work in the Fire Safety Engineering research group of Aalto University, led by professor Simo Hostikka. Collaborators include professor Miina Rautiainen from the Remote Sensing -group of Aalto and researchers from the Natural Resource Institute Finland, Häme University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Eastern Finland.

Your experience

We expect a doctoral degree in a relevant field, with demonstrated skills in heat transfer, pyrolysis modelling, or fluid dynamics. We look for experience in wildfire modelling and fire modelling using e.g. FDS. Excellent command of written and spoken English is mandatory.

How to apply

Please submit your application electronically through our online recruitment system and provide the following documents in English:

• A 1-page motivation letter
• CV, including the contact details of two references
• Degree certificates and academic transcripts

The deadline for applications is October 27, 2024 and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.

Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, extend the application period, reopen the application process, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). Aalto University’s students and visitors should apply as external candidates with personal (not Aalto) email.

Further information

For questions related to the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. 

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