Senior Scientist- Wildland Fire Models

About the Role

Make a meaningful impact in the world with wildfire modeling. Extreme fires in recent years have caused billions of dollars in properties lost and damaged. In addition, in a changing climate, the historical patterns of wildfire activity are also changing and challenging the ability of the insurance industry to mitigate the risk. Wildfire modeling seeks to quantify the risk, allowing the industry to better prepare for disaster before it strikes.

Join our growing Research and Modeling department as a member of our wildfire modeling team. You will work with the team to develop, optimize, and deploy advanced computational models that simulate fire ignition, spread, and penetration into the wildland-urban interface at meter-scale resolution for millions of scenarios, and that describe the complex relationships between wildfire activity, weather/climate, fuels, and other factors. As a member of this collegial team, you will work closely with a range of stakeholders to (a) incorporate up-to-date scientific knowledge, data, and modeling approaches into our existing models; (b) develop new models and model components; and (c) deploy existing modeling technologies into new regions and/or for new applications.

About the Day to Day Responsibilities of the Role

• Keep abreast of current wildland fire research and look for ways to integrate this research into existing and new wildfire models.
• Understand the principles of wildland fire models and how their components work together to assess sensitivity to key drivers (e.g., fuel type, weather).
• Critically assess and estimate statistical significance of trends in wildfire activity and climate drivers in the United States and elsewhere.
• Evaluate new climatological, wildfire fuel, and wildfire activity; integrate into existing models; and explain changes seen in modeled results.
• Create, optimize, and run critical model code using the principles of high-performance computing.
• Navigate and manage multiple code repositories, data sets, and data archives with appropriate approaches to archiving and version control.
• Prepare accurate and effective technical and non-technical documents describing modeling processes and results, both for client use and internal model improvement.
• Create and deliver presentations to coworkers, company management, and clients.
• Deliver results on time to meet project objectives.  

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About You and How You Can Excel in This Role

• Solid foundational knowledge of atmospheric, climatic and/or hydrological processes and their quantification across large landscapes.
• Practical experience analyzing/interpreting large model output datasets for both model evaluation and improvement.
• Mathematical and/or statistical experience and practical experience developing new models and/or significant new components (e.g., advanced subroutines) in existing models.
• Programming skills gained through practical experience with a modern programming languages is essential.
• Ability to gather, understand, and critically analyze information from all relevant sources, such as historical fire/weather/climate databases, scientific papers, government reports, insurance data, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new concepts and skills and to meet project objectives and deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of the application of probabilistic modeling to (re)insurance applications and/or climate change science a plus.
• Experience applying climate and/or weather forecasting model output to landscape processes is a plus.
• Experience using and managing large datasets; practical experience with SQL is desirable.
• Experience with ArcGIS a plus.
• Advanced degree in wildfire, climate, atmospheric or environmental science, engineering, mathematics, or statistics (Ph.D. preferred).

For over 50 years, Verisk has been the leading data analytics and technology partner to the global insurance industry by delivering value to our clients through expertise and scale. We empower communities and businesses to make better decisions on risk, faster.

At Verisk, you'll have the chance to use your voice and build a rewarding career that's as unique as you are, with work flexibility and the support, coaching, and training you need to succeed. 

For the eighth consecutive year, Verisk is proudly recognized as a Great Place to Work® for outstanding workplace culture in the US, fourth consecutive year in the UK, Spain, and India, and second consecutive year in Poland.  We value learning, caring and results and make inclusivity and diversity a top priority.  In addition to our Great Place to Work® Certification, we’ve been recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the Best-Managed Companies and by Forbes as a World’s Best Employer and Best Employer for Women, testaments to the value we place on workplace culture.

We’re 7,000 people strong.  We relentlessly and ethically pursue innovation. And we are looking for people like you to help us translate big data into big ideas. Join us and create an exceptional experience for yourself and a better tomorrow for future generations.

Verisk Businesses

Underwriting Solutions — provides underwriting and rating solutions for auto and property, general liability, and excess and surplus to assess and price risk with speed and precision

Claims Solutions — supports end-to-end claims handling with analytic and automation tools that streamline workflow, improve claims management, and support better customer experiences

Property Estimating Solutions — offers property estimation software and tools for professionals in estimating all phases of building and repair to make day-to-day workflows the most efficient

Extreme Event Solutions — provides risk modeling solutions to help individuals, businesses, and society become more resilient to extreme events.

Specialty Business Solutions — provides an integrated suite of software for full end-to-end management of insurance and reinsurance business, helping companies manage their businesses through efficiency, flexibility, and data governance

Marketing Solutions — delivers data and insights to improve the reach, timing, relevance, and compliance of every consumer engagement

Life Insurance Solutions – offers end-to-end, data insight-driven core capabilities for carriers, distribution, and direct customers across the entire policy lifecycle of life and annuities for both individual and group.

Verisk Maplecroft — provides intelligence on sustainability, resilience, and ESG, helping people, business, and societies become stronger

Verisk Analytics is an equal opportunity employer.

All members of the Verisk Analytics family of companies are equal opportunity employers. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, veteran's status, age or disability. Verisk’s minimum hiring age is 18 except in countries with a higher age limit subject to applicable law.

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