Senior Scientist Fire Weather Research at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Key Performance Areas 

The candidate will be required to: 

• Conduct research and development of a new fire danger index, including formulating algorithms, models, and data analysis techniques. 
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to integrate meteorological, environmental, and geographical data into developing the fire danger index. 
• Conduct thorough literature reviews and stay abreast of the latest fire weather science and technology advancements. 
• Design and conduct field experiments and validation studies to assess the fire danger index's performance and accuracy. 
• Analyse and interpret complex datasets to identify patterns, trends, and correlations relevant to fire danger assessment. 
• Develop and maintain documentation, including technical reports, research papers, and presentations, to communicate the methodology and findings of the fire danger index development. 
• Provide technical guidance and training to scientists, forecasters and stakeholders on the new fire danger index's use and interpretation. 
• Collaborate with stakeholders and end users to understand their needs and incorporate feedback into refining the fire danger index. 
• Represent SAWS and present research outputs, where appropriate, at national or international scientific events, e.g. conferences and workshops. 
• Ensure that the work environment complies with legislative requirements for Occupational Health and Safety.  

Minimum Requirements 

• MSc in a related field (e.g., Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, Environmental Science). 
• At least 5 years of experience in fire weather research, or closely related field. 
• Proven expertise in statistical analysis, data modelling, and programming languages commonly used in atmospheric and environmental research (e.g., Python, R, Fortran). 
• Knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis techniques for incorporating geographical and environmental data into fire danger assessments. 
• Demonstrated experience in leading research activities, including the design and analysis of field experiments and validation studies. 
• Familiarity with applying fire danger indices in wildfire management and public safety. 
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals, with a minimum of three publications related to fire weather. 
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, or industry partners. 
• Experience working with government agencies involved in fire management, wildfire prediction, or emergency services will be advantageous.