Position Description
The probability of earthquakes and fires occurring is not independent. Historically, fires following earthquakes have resulted in significant loss of life and property. Existing research on the combined impact of earthquakes and fires has primarily focused on steel and concrete construction. Mass engineered timber is increasingly being selected as the structural material for tall buildings in earthquake-prone regions, highlighting the need for enhanced understanding and guidelines regarding the risks associated with concurrent or subsequent earthquakes and fires.
Due to its combustibility, fire growth and dynamics in timber buildings are closely tied to the effectiveness of passive fire protection. Therefore, investigations into the effects of damaged passive fire protection and necessary remediation following significant earthquake events are essential for guiding resource allocation.
This project aims to evaluate and quantify potential fire scenarios in timber buildings with damaged passive fire protection following an earthquake. Specific focus will be placed on the consideration of risk profiles and associated guidance to prioritize repair after major earthquake events.
The project aim will be achieved through the following objectives:
- A thorough literature review on earthquake damage to timber framed buildings.
- The identification of likely damage states in engineered mass timber fire protection, either through the literature review, or exploratory experiments.
- Design and execution of experiments to qualify and quantify effects of damaged fire protection on the fire performance of engineered mass timber structural elements.
- Evaluation of earthquake induced changes in risk with respect to building code fire safety objectives.
The selected candidate will contribute to the development of the newly established Fire Resilience and Wood Ignition Safety Evaluation (FIREWISE) Laboratory at UBC. If you have the qualifications and a passion for advancing building safety in British Columbia and other earthquake-prone regions, we encourage you to apply. The preferred start date is May 2026, although a January 2026 start may be possible depending on visa requirements.
Graduate degree requirements include completion of a thesis, a Forestry oral communication course (FRST 544 or an approved alternative), and additional approved coursework for a total of 30 credits.
This MASc position is fully funded for two years, with an annual stipend of $25,000.
Qualifications
To be considered for the position:
- A Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent*, is required.
- The applicant should have a background in fields related to civil, structural or fire safety engineering.
- Working experience with engineered timber structures would be considered an asset.
- The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, an independent work ethic, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record of success in group collaboration.
* the equivalent consideration varies by country – please consult https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/check-your-eligibility for country specific recommendations.
Further information on the application process and eligibility is available at https://forestry.ubc.ca/future-students/graduate/, and https://www.grad.ubc.ca/.
How to Apply for this MSc/MASc Student Position
Interested candidates should send via email to felix.wiesner@ubc.ca:
- a cover letter describing how their qualifications are suitable for this position with a brief description of their motivation and interest,
- their curriculum vitae (CV), including published work,
- unofficial transcripts of attained higher education degrees, and
- the contact information of three potential referees. The ultimate decision on admittance rests on the Graduate Admission Process in the Faculty of Forestry.
The deadline for receiving applications is July 31st, 2025. Following this, shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Additional Information
The University of British Columbia, established in 1915, is an exceptional place for studying and performing research and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. The Department of Wood Science (formed in 1982) is one of three departments at UBC Forestry. Aligned with the department is UBC Forestry’s Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP), Canada’s national centre for education, training and technical assistance for the wood products manufacturing industry.
Although this position will be based in the Faculty of Forestry, the core of the candidate’s education and research will focus on engineering principles. This will involve close collaboration with the Sustainable Timber-Built Environment (STBE) cluster, which develops fundamental knowledge and innovative holistic design solutions to expand the use of Canadian forest resources as structural material in large and tall timber buildings. Fire safety research of the cluster is led by Dr Felix Wiesner, who has extensive experience in innovative fire safety engineering research for timber and wood products.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.