Research Officer (5 positions)

Construction
Ottawa - Ontario

RO

An eligibility list for similar but continuing positions may be established for external candidates only. These are continuing positions.

Background

NRC plays a central role at the heart of Canada’s innovation system.  Working with clients and partners, we provide strategic research, scientific and technical services to develop and deploy solutions to meet Canada's current and future needs. Our vision is to be the most effective research and technology organization in the world, stimulating sustainable domestic prosperity. Guided by our core values of impact, accountability, leadership, integrity and collaboration; NRC is a dynamic and vibrant organization that, in its ongoing evolution, is seeking five Research Officers with the following requirements:

Stream 1;  Human behaviour and evacuation during fire; Ottawa; English

Stream 2;  Materials and fire chemistry; Ottawa; Bilingual BBB/BBB

Stream 3;  Numerical fire modeling; Ottawa; English

Stream 4;  Fire dynamics and fire protection; Ottawa; English

Stream 5; Fire and Smoke Management; Ottawa; English

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.

Your challenge

The primary responsibility of the RO is to support the goals of NRC and the Portfolio through research of international calibre and the development and application of advanced technologies. The RO works in a team environment with researchers and technical experts in world-class facilities. Activities also include the development of proposals for new research initiatives, project management, and providing service to NRC clients.  The RO provides input into the overall direction and research priorities for the program area within the context of the Portfolio business plan.

These specific Research Officers will be members of the Fire Safety Unit’s multidisciplinary team of researchers, conducting research in the fields of fire performance of materials and structures, risk assessment, fire protection and mitigation, smoke management and human behaviour in emergencies in the built environment and the transportation sectors.  Research activities and expertise span the domains of Physics, Chemistry and through most branches of Engineering.

 

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

Stream 1; Human behaviour and evacuation during fire; Ph.D. in Social Sciences or Engineering or Architecture

Stream 2; Materials and fire chemistry; PhD in Material Science or Chemistry

Stream 3; Numerical fire modeling; PhD in Mechanical Engineering or  Mathematics & Application or Civil Engineering

Stream 4;  Fire dynamics and fire protection; PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering

Stream 5; Fire and Smoke Management; Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering or Physics 

Experience

Significant experience in one or more competency areas required in the Portfolio research program:

- Human behaviour and evacuation during fire or other emergency conditions in the built environment and the transportation sector
- Materials and fire chemistry
- Numerical fire modeling and experimental investigation of fire dynamics
- Fire dynamics and fire protection and mitigation including fire suppression
- Fire-induced smoke management in the built environment and transportation systems

COMMON TO ALL POSITIONS:

Experience in the full spectrum of research activities including identification of research requirements, proposal writing, project management, data production and analysis, and reporting through written documentation, presentations and publishing.

Experience in experimental design and analysis including data collection and analysis, overseeing data production, and ensuring data quality.

Experience in working in multi-disciplinary teams.

Some experience in business development, marketing activities, and/or the development of partnerships and collaborations.
 

For alternate qualifications please refer to equivalency heading below.

Equivalency

Stream 1; Human behaviour and evacuation during fire; a master’s degree in social sciences or engineering or architecture combined with relevant work experience in research or technology development may be considered.

Stream 2; Materials and fire chemistry; a master’s degree in Material Science or Chemistry combined with relevant work experience in research or technology development may be considered.

Stream 3; Numerical fire modeling; a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mathematics & Application or Civil Engineering combined with relevant work experience in research or technology development may be considered.

Stream 4; Fire dynamics and fire protection; a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering combined with relevant work experience in research or technology development may be considered.

Stream 5; Fire and Smoke Management; a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering or Physics combined with relevant work experience in research or technology development may be considered.

Condition of employment

• Reliability Status

Language requirements

Various Linguistic Requirements

Assessment criteria

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

Technical competencies:

Stream 1;  Human behaviour and evacuation during fire:
Advanced knowledge of human behaviour and evacuation during fire or other emergency conditions
Knowledge of developing and administering data gathering tools (e.g. questionnaires, surveys, interviews, etc.) and data analysis
Knowledge of human factors models on human behaviour under emergency situations, and on evacuation movement

Stream 2;  Materials and fire chemistry:
Advanced knowledge of fire chemistry and fire characteristics of materials and combustion products
Knowledge of data/information analysis
Knowledge of design and conducting of small- to full-scale fire experiments

Stream 3;  Numerical fire modeling:
Advanced knowledge of numerical techniques
Knowledge of numerical fire modeling and experimental investigation of fire dynamics
Knowledge of fire and heat transfer experiments, numerical fire models and life hazard prediction techniques

Stream 4;  Fire dynamics and fire protection:
Advanced knowledge of fire dynamics and fire protection and mitigation including fire suppression
Knowledge of design and conducting small- to full-scale fire experiments

Stream 5; Fire and Smoke Management: TBD
Advanced Knowledge of smoke management systems
Knowledge of instruments and techniques to measure and evaluate fire gases and sooty deposits.
Knowledge of design and conducting of small- to full-scale fire experiments


COMMON TO ALL POSITIONS:

Knowledge of project management principles and practices

Knowledge of fire risk assessment would be considered an asset
 

Behavioural competencies:

Communication (Level 3)
Initiative (Level 3)
Results Orientation (Level 2)
Continuous Professional Learning (Level 2)
Teamwork (Level 3)
Creative Thinking (Level 2)
 

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

View all competency profiles.

Relocation

Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with NRC's directives.

Salary range

These positions are classified as a Research Officer (RO), a group that is unique to the NRC. The RO group uses a person-based classification system instead of the more common duties-based classification system. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, skill, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience. The salary scale for this group is vast, from $38,921 to $125,067 per annum, which permits for employees of all levels from new graduates to world renowned experts to be fairly compensated for their contributions. In addition, an incumbent occupying a position within the RO Groups is currently entitled to receive a terminable allowance of $8,000 per year plus the Bilingualism Bonus of $800 a year to the candidate who meets the language requirements.

Closing date

09/26/2013 (8 days)

Applications will be accepted until 23:59 Eastern Time