Fire Research Division

Analysis and Prediction Group

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POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS in COMBUSTION and FIRE RESEARCH

Analysis and Prediction Group

Building and Fire Research Laboratory

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Gaithersburg, MD

Outstanding applicants are sought for a number of postdoctoral fellowships available in the Analysis and Prediction Group at the Building and Fire Research Laboratory, NIST. The Group uses experiments, analysis, metrology, and advanced computer simulations to improve our understanding of the physics of fires and to improve predictions of the growth, spread, suppression, and emissions from fires of all scales. 

Program Details:

Doctoral Degree and US citizenship required at time of appointment.

Salary:  $60,000 plus benefits and $5,500 in discretionary funds, for the 2008 program year.

Tenure: 2 years

Application Requirements: A research proposal (6 to 8 pages) formulated with the research adviser.

Two Application Deadlines: February 1 or August 1.

Starting Dates: anytime over a one year period, beginning July 1 for a February application and January 1 for the August application.

Applications are developed with the research advisor and are evaluated by the National Research Council as part of the Postdoctoral Research Associateship Program, which is described at: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/rap/

 

RESEARCH AREAS

1. Computational Fire Modeling and its Visualization

Various topics are of interest including direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES) of fire dynamics such as wind/fire interactions, microgravity flame spread, instability, gravitational jitter effects, radiation transport, and flame suppression by water sprinklers, water mist, and gaseous agents. Mathematical models of combustion, radiative transport, and wind/fire interactions, which permit incorporation into the computational methodology are also of interest. Applications include enclosure fires, pool fires, wildfires, and fires in high-rise buildings,

Please see the following specific topics areas for technical details and contact information:

a. Large Eddy Simulation of Fires and Combustion Systems:
NRC Announcement #50.86.41.B3966
contact: Dr. Kevin McGrattan, 301-975-2712, kevin.mcgrattan@nist.gov, or
Dr. William Mell, 301-975-4797, william.mell@nist.gov, or
Dr. Kuldeep Prasad, 301-975-3968, kuldeep.prasad@nist.gov

b. Simulating Fire Dynamics Using Large Eddy Simulation/Direct Numerical Simulation Techniques:
NRC Announcement #50.86.41.B4823
contact: Dr. Kuldeep Prasad, 301-975-3968, kuldeep.prasad@nist.gov

c. Modeling and Visualizing Fire Dynamics:
NRC Announcement #50.86.41.B4822
contact: Dr. Glenn Forney, 301-975-6887, glenn.forney@nist.gov

d. Fire Modeling Using Parallel Computation:
NRC Announcement # 50.86.41.B5621
contact:  Dr. Kevin McGrattan, 301-975-2712, kevin.mcgrattan@nist.gov

e. Advanced Simulation Tool for Predicting Thermal/Structural Response of Solid/Condensed Phase due to Fires:
NRC Announcement # 50.86.41.B5620
contact: Dr. Kuldeep Prasad, 301-975-3968, kuldeep.prasad@nist.gov

 

2. Experimental Studies of Fire Dynamics, Emphasizing Model Validation

Measurements of the heat and mass transfer processes occurring in laminar flames and turbulent fires burning various fuels are being conducted. The data is being used to develop and validate computational simulations of fire growth and spread. Non-intrusive and probing methods are used to measure the transient temperature and velocity fields, the species composition, particulate concentration, spray dynamics, radiative-transfer characteristics, and energy feedback from the flame to the fuel surface. See the following for more details:

a. Fire Dynamics: 
NRC Announcement #50.86.41.B4446
contact: Dr. Anthony Hamins, 301-975-6598, anthony.hamins@nist.gov

 

3. Fire Suppression

Experiments and modeling studies are underway to understand the mechanisms of flame extinction in the presence of chemical and physical agents. The effect of water mist on the heat release rate of a burning object is being investigated. Measurement of the interaction between the heat and mass transfer processes are emphasized.

a. Ignition, Extinction, and Flame Structure:
NRC Announcement #50.86.41.B2021
contact: Dr. Anthony Hamins, 301-975-6598, anthony.hamins@nist.gov

b.  Simulating Fire Dynamics Using Large Eddy Simulation/Direct Numerical Simulation Techniques:
NRC Announcement #50.86.41.B4823
contact: Dr. Kuldeep Prasad, 301-975-3968, kuldeep.prasad@nist.gov

 

 

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