Position Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified MSc student to join our research team focused on fire safety for timber structures. The proposed research will assess the smoldering propensity of various wood species that are either currently used or have the potential to be used in Canadian timber construction.
Recent work on fires in mass timber compartments has led to increased confidence in the self-extinction of flaming combustion of exposed timber surfaces. However, smoldering has been reported after the extinction of flames in a multitude of timber compartment fire tests. Smoldering is the solid phase carbon oxidation of char and occurs localized, usually near joints, intersections such as in connections.
The long-term goals of this proposed research are to provide engineers and architects with information and tools to reduce the probability and intensity of smoldering events after fire. Additionally, the information should provide more confidence to the fire service to successful manage buildings after a fire event. The project objectives are:
- Collect timber species and engineered timber types that can be expected in construction
- Subject samples to a smoldering test with different heating intensities and durations
- Develop a ranking system or determine a parameter that may be used to describe smoldering propensity across wood species and type
The successful candidate will be directly supervised by Dr Felix Wiesner at UBC and play an important role in establishing the fire safety laboratory at UBC. Co-supervision will be by Dr. Christian Dagenais from Université Laval.
This is a full-time, two-year MSc/MASc scholarship position. The base stipend will be $23,000 with the potential of further income from teaching assistant roles and merit-based stipends. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with leading experts in fire safety engineering and timber structures through the Canadian Wood Construction Research Network (CWCRN).
Qualifications
To be considered for the position:
- A bachelor’s level degree, or equivalent*, is required
- The applicant should have a background in fields related to fire safety engineering, wood science, timber engineering or heat and mass transfer
- Working experience with engineered timber structures would be considered an asset
- The ideal candidate will have experience in experimental design, 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. Appropriate qualifications should be associated with clear evidence of research ability or potential.
How to Apply for this MSc/MASc in Post Fire Smoldering Propensity of Canadian Wood Species
Interested candidates should send a cover letter describing how their qualifications are suitable for this position with a brief description of their motivation and interest, a copy of their curriculum vitae (CV), including published work, unofficial transcripts of attained higher education degrees, and the contact address of three potential referees via email to felix.wiesner@ubc.ca. The ultimate decision on admittance rests on the Graduate Admission Process in the Faculty of Forestry.
Further information is available at the UBC Forestry Graduate Programs page and the UBC Graduate Studies website.
The position will remain open until August 28, 2024, or until we have identified a suitable candidate. The earliest potential starting date is May 2025.
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 MSc/MASc 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 Canadian Wood Construction Research Network (CWCRN), which aims to advance the knowledge and application of innovative wood construction practices.
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.