Senior Research Scientist – Battery Safety

International Association for Fire Safety Science; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The International Association for Fire Safety Science is seeking a Senior Research Scientist in Norwood, Massachusetts. This role involves advancing scientific understanding and developing technologies to improve battery safety, with responsibilities ranging from leading research projects to communicating results to stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in relevant engineering fields and demonstrate extensive experience in experimental methods, combustion, and heat transfer. A competitive benefits package is included.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with experimental and modeling methods in thermal fluids, heat transfer, and combustion/fire science.
• Research experience in heat transfer measurement and battery systems testing is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a focus on technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects focused on battery safety.
• Design experiments to validate models related to thermal and fire hazards.
• Communicate results and engineering recommendations to stakeholders.

Skills

Combustion fundamentals

Fluid mechanics

Heat transfer

Experimental methods

Modeling methods

Technical communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD in Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or related field

Job description

FM is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to advance scientific understanding, develop new technologies, and create engineering solutions in the field of battery safety. The ultimate goal is to support industrial property loss prevention by conducting high‑quality research focused on thermal and fire hazards associated with batteries.

Responsibilities

• Lead internally funded research projects involving advanced testing of batteries at multiple scales.
• Design experiments to support the development, calibration, and validation of physics‑based or empirical models.
• Develop and apply modeling tools for hazard evaluation of battery systems.
• Interpret and analyze experimental data and prepare high‑quality technical documentation.
• Communicate test methods, results, and engineering recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, including collaborators, clients, and industry partners.
• Manage all aspects of project management, including proposals, planning, execution, reporting, and engineering application.
• PhD in Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong fundamental background in combustion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and applied mathematics.
• Extensive experience with experimental and modeling methods in thermal fluids, heat transfer, and combustion/fire science, as well as a general understanding of battery electrochemistry and performance characteristics.
• Research experience involving experimental heat transfer measurement, battery failure analysis, high-voltage battery system testing, such as BESS or UPS battery systems, is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to develop effective solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to productively collaborate in an interdisciplinary research environment.

A full benefits package is offered with this position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience

• 1 Technology Way, Norwood, MA 02062, USA