Research Officer (Fire Safety Science and Tech)

National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 57,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Robust pension plan

Health and dental coverage

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The National Research Council Canada (NRC) Construction Research Centre in Ottawa seeks a Research Associate with expertise in fire performance of building systems to contribute to wood construction and modular approaches. You will conduct experimental and analytical research, develop fire safety models, and prepare technical reports and publications while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.

A PhD or equivalent is preferred; English language required; limited hybrid work arrangement

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, science, architecture or related area preferred.
• An equivalent combination of a related PhD or Master’s degree with significant relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience in fire resistance and fire-performance evaluation of building materials or assemblies.
• Experience in experimental design and analysis, including data collection and analysis, and ensuring data quality.
• Experience in the full spectrum of research activities including proposal writing, project management, data production and analysis, and reporting through written documentation, presentations and publishing.
• Assets: experience applying Canadian building and fire codes; fire risk assessment; multidisciplinary teamwork may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Conduct multidisciplinary experimental and analytical research on fire performance of innovative wood, modular, and prefabricated construction systems, including research planning, testing, instrumentation, data analysis, and integration with modelling and engineering analysis.
• Develop, validating, and documenting analytical and numerical models and evaluation methods for assessing fire performance.
• Preparing technical reports, scientific publications, and presentations; collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners; and supporting project delivery

Skills

Fire resistance assessment

Fire-performance evaluation

Experimental design

Data analysis

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

PhD in engineering or related field

Master's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

• The Employment Equity Act , which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Construction

Classification: RO

Tenure: Term

Duration: 3 years

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

Help advance the next generation of safe, innovative and productive construction sector in Canada.

The NRC Construction Research Centre is looking for a Research Associate with expertise in the fire performance and fire resistance of building systems to contribute to research supporting innovative wood construction, mass timber, prefabricated and modular construction, performance-based solutions to code compliance, and other emerging construction technologies.

The position will contribute to federal initiatives aimed at increasing the use of Canadian wood products in construction, improving construction productivity, accelerating housing delivery, and supporting the transformation and competitiveness of Canada’s forest and construction sectors

The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary research environment involving fire safety, structural engineering, acoustics, building envelope performance, materials, construction productivity, and building codes and standards.

The Research Associate will undertake experimental and analytical research to generate the technical evidence needed to assess and validate innovative construction systems and support their safe adoption in Canada.

Responsibilities may include

• Conducting and contributing to multidisciplinary experimental and analytical research on the fire performance of innovative wood, modular, and prefabricated construction systems, including research planning, testing, instrumentation, data analysis, and integration with modelling and engineering analysis.
• Developing, validating, and documenting analytical and numerical models and evaluation methods for assessing fire performance.
• Preparing technical reports, scientific publications, and presentations; collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners; and supporting project delivery

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

PhD in engineering, science, architecture or a relevant area of expertise is preferred.

An equivalent combination of a related PhD or Master’s degree in engineering, science, architecture or a relevant area of expertise, with significant relevant experience may be considered.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Experience in fire resistance and fire-performance evaluation of building materials or assemblies.
• Experience in experimental design and analysis, including data collection and analysis, and ensuring data quality.
• Experience in the full spectrum of research activities including identification of research needs, proposal writing, project management, data production and analysis, and reporting through written documentation, presentations and publishing.

The following assets will be considered

• Experience in applying and/or developing Canadian building and fire codes, including developing alternative solutions.
• Experience in fire risk assessment and fire risk mitigation.
• Experience in working in multidisciplinary teams.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

Candidates will be assessed on their knowledge and ability in areas including:

• Knowledge of Fire resistance and fire performance of building assemblies and systems.
• Knowledge of Fire science and fire safety engineering fundamentals.
• Knowledge of Experimental fire testing, instrumentation, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of application of engineering principles to building-code- and standards-related research.
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices.

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Communication (Level 3)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 3)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research - Networking (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Research ;

View all competency profiles

Compensation

This position is classified as a Research Officer (RO), a group that is unique to the NRC. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. The salary scale for this group is vast, from $57,220 to $161,754 per annum, which permits for employees of all levels from new graduates to world-renowned experts to be fairly compensated for their contributions.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (25650) to:

E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone]

Closing Date

6 October 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

• If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.