Research Scientist - Fire and Climate

CFA; Australie; Sur place; AUD 110 000 - 150 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Hybrid work options

Health Ready programs

Résumé du poste

Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria invites applications for a Research Scientist – Fire and Climate. This newly created role is based at the Burwood East Headquarters and is offered on a fixed‑term, full‑time basis.

You will design and conduct research linking climate to fire outcomes, develop models, and translate findings into actionable strategic advice for long‑term planning and firefighting resource needs. Collaborate with the R&D team and communicate results to senior management.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in fire science or related field, with relevant research experience.
• Proven experience in Python or R and data manipulation.
• Knowledge of GIS and spatial analysis is essential for the role.

Responsabilités

• Design and conduct research linking climate to fire outcomes.
• Develop models to inform long-term planning and resource needs.
• Translate findings into actionable advice for senior management and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the R&D team and communicate results to diverse audiences.
• Travel to CFA offices or regional areas as needed.

Connaissances

Python

R

Spatial analysis

Geographic Information Systems

Data manipulation

Fire science knowledge

Risk analysis

Formation

PhD in fire science or related field

Outils

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Description du poste

CFA is an emergency service that places the community at the centre of everything we do. We work to protect lives and property across Victoria, every hour of the day.

Our organisation is made up of employees working alongside more than 51,000 volunteers. We value the different skills, experience and viewpoints that people bring, because they strengthen how we operate and support the services Victorians rely on.

We aim to be a workplace where people feel supported to do meaningful work, develop professionally and contribute to outcomes that matter to the people and places we serve.

To learn more about who we are and the work we do, visit our About Us page.

About the Role

As a newly created role, the Research Scientist – Fire and Climate, is responsible for undertaking research that investigates links between climate and fire, and translating these into actional advice for long term planning The role is responsible for conceptualising research questions, undertaking analysis to identify relationships between climate and fire outcomes, and building models that provide insight into future resource demands for firefighting organisations. This includes identifying the implications of various climate change scenarios, quantifying variability and describing climate phenomena that may be indicative of mild or severe fire seasons.

Reporting to a Senior scientist within the R&D team, the Research Scientist – Fire and Climate is part of a small team that provides authoritative advice to senior management, produces high-quality research outputs and communicates findings to a wide range of audiences.

There may be a small amount of travel required for this role, to CFA offices and regional areas of Victoria, including possible fire training in Macedon.

This is a fixed term, full-time role, based in the Burwood East Headquarters

About you

You will be an experienced research scientist or risk analyst, with a PhD or equivalent in the field of fire science or a related field, relevant research experience, demonstrated experience in Python or R, with strong skills in data manipulation and experience in working with Geographic Information Systems and undertaking spatial analysis.

Knowledge or experience of bushfire modelling, management, suppression and fire behaviour would be highly advantageous.

Join us in helping create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

Why choose CFA

• Meaningful Purpose: Your contribution truly makes a difference
• Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous leave provisions
• Flexibility: Hybrid work options with flexible work arrangements
• Discounts: Emergency Memberlink discounts on various services
• Wellbeing Focus: Health Ready programs, flu vaccinations
• Member Assistance Program: Access support across 8 service pathways

Pre-employment Checks

Offers of employment will only be made to candidates who are able to successfully complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, Working Rights Check and hold a valid Working with Children Check. You will also be required to provide at least two professional references.

CFA is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and safe volunteer and work environment. Our aim is to have a volunteer and paid workforce that reflects the community it serves. First Nations people, women, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply.

If at any stage of the recruitment and selection process you require an alternative format to the application material or reasonable adjustment to the interview arrangements, please don't hesitate to contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively, email [e-mail]

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) values your privacy. We will use the information you provide when you are applying for employment with us for the purpose of recruitment, selection, evaluation and appointment and to report on anonymised key metrics (e.g. diversity). The information we collect will be handled in accordance with privacy laws, including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You can view our Privacy Statement here . For access and correction of the information we have collected, contact [e-mail]