Research Assistant – Prescribed Fire & Smoke Exposure Modeling

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering seeks a part-time hourly Research Assistant (student or non-student) to support the SOGES-funded ECO-FIRE project, which develops an integrated modeling framework to quantify the air quality, public health, and environmental equity trade-offs between wildfires and prescribed fires.

Full Consideration Date: 6/30/2026

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• Develop and evaluate optimized prescribed-fire ignition methods, techniques, and pattern designs in collaboration with project partners.
• Conduct smoke exposure analysis and investigate how ignition pattern design affects downwind smoke exposure outcomes.
• Develop and maintain Python-based data processing and analysis workflows, using high-performance computing resources where applicable, and document methods to ensure reproducibility.
• Prepare and draft a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

• Pre-employment Background Check.
• Authorized to legally work in the US by the planned start date.

None.

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, engineering, economics, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis (e.g., Pandas, Num Py).
• Experience with quantitative, optimization, or econometric methods.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to contribute to scientific manuscript preparation.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience with geospatial tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS.

$16.00 per hour

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Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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