Research Scientist - Fire Risk Modelling

Country Fire Authority; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Hybrid work options

Emergency member discounts

Health & wellbeing program

Member Assistance Program

Job summary

Country Fire Authority is seeking a Research Scientist - Fire Risk Modelling to lead the development of its capacity to identify and model fire risk. You will work with a small research team to build models, tools and systems used to describe, predict and communicate information about incidents CFA responds to, using fire simulation systems and spatial analysis.

Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent and strong programming experience in Python/SQL.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in science, engineering, data science, or computer science.
• Experience with Python and SQL or equivalent programming languages.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of CFA's capacity to identify and model fire risk.
• Develop and maintain models, tools and systems to describe, predict and communicate incidents CFA responds to.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships to identify organisational needs and engage with community and government departments.
• Travel to CFA offices and regional Victoria as required.

Skills

Python

SQL

Model building

Spatial analysis

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Fire simulation systems

Scripting workflows

Job description

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 RoleAs a newly created role, the Research Scientist - Fire Risk Modelling will be responsible for leading the development of CFA's capacity to identify and model fire risk. Working as part of a small team of researchers, this role develops and maintains systems to support CFA's emergency response decisions. Building strong stakeholder relationships will be crucial within CFA to identify diverse organisational needs and engage with the community and government departments.You will drive the development and maintenance of models, tools and systems to describe, predict and communicate information around the incidents that CFA responds to. The role will require the use of fire simulation systems, development of scripted workflows to process spatial information, and the quantitative analysis of historical data to quantify trends.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 youYou will be an experienced research scientist or fire risk analyst, with a PhD or equivalent experience in science, engineering, mathematical, data science, or computer science discipline, and experience in languages such as Python and SQL, or the ability to apply comparable technical skills.You will ideally bring demonstrated experience in programming, with strong skills in task scripting, model building 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 CFAMeaningful Purpose: Your contribution truly makes a differenceWork-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous leave provisionsFlexibility: Hybrid work options with flexible work arrangementsDiscounts: Emergency Memberlink discounts on various servicesWellbeing Focus: Health Ready programs, flu vaccinationsMember Assistance Program: Access support across 8 service pathwaysYour ApplicationClick the `Apply' button to access our online application portal. You will be prompted to provide your personal and contact details and to respond to employment-related questions. When applying for a position with CFA, please include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) and resume that clearly demonstrate your qualifications, experience and the key attributes and skills relevant to the role.Pre-employment ChecksOffers 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.Applications close: 11:59pm 26 October 2026.What to expect from our recruitment processCFA 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] 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]