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Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Program

Desert Research Institute · Reno, United States Of America · Onsite

  • Junior
  • Office in Reno
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Thank you for your interest in employment with the Desert Research Institute.  We want your  application process to go smoothly and quickly.  We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

  • Once you start the application process you cannot save your work. Please ensure you have all required attachment(s) available to complete your application before you begin the process.
  • Required attachments are listed below on the posting. Your application will not be considered without the required attachments.
  • Please see the application instructions under each posting for information on submittal deadlines.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, contact Human Resources Hotline at (775) 673-7431 or [email protected].

Job Description

The Desert Research Institute and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) invite applications for a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) position in Atmospheric Sciences to work with Dr. John Mejia and Dr. Eden Furtak-Cole.  This is a fully funded four-year opportunity leading to a PhD graduate degree at UNR, with research conducted at DRI. The successful candidate will contribute to the ForgedFire Model, a next-generation, urban-resolving wildfire–atmosphere modeling framework developed as part of the NSF funded FireScape NV project. The GRA will focus on developing and advancing the model’s multiscale coupling (WRF-SFIRE ↔ Fire Dynamics Simulator) to better understand wildfire behavior, smoke dispersion, and fire–atmosphere–urban interactions across the wildland–urban interface (WUI).

 

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and apply WRF-SFIRE simulations for fire–atmosphere interactions.
  • Implement and evaluate multiscale coupling between WRF-SFIRE (a mesoscale atmospheric model) and Fire Dynamics Simulator (a parcel-scale computation fluid dynamic model).
  • Integrate urban morphology, fuel datasets, and atmospheric observations into model workflows.
  • Analyze model performance using case studies (e.g., the 2024 Davis Fire) and observational datasets.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and contribute to publications, digital twin tools, and scenario-based wildfire adaptation frameworks.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Climate Science, Physics, Engineering or a closely related field.
  • Background in numerical atmospheric modeling, with experience using WRF, FDS, or similar models.
  • Familiarity with wildfire modeling, smoke dispersion, or computational fluid dynamics is highly desirable.
  • Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, Fortran, C/C++, Julia or similar) and data analysis.
  • Ability to work independently and in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.

Opportunity Highlights:

  • Four-year fully funded GRA position with stipend, tuition, and health benefits.
  • Cutting-edge research at the intersection of fire science, atmospheric modeling, and urban climate.
  • Hands-on experience with advanced modeling frameworks, high-performance computing, and stakeholder-informed applications.
  • Professional development through publications, conferences, and collaborations with agencies and research partners.

Application Process:
Interested candidates should contact Dr. John Mejia ([email protected]) with a CV and a brief statement of research interests. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent 

50.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Posting Close Date

10/20/2025

Note to Applicant

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.  

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process based on applicant notification and permission.

Newly hired faculty and postdoctoral fellows must assure that their official transcript is submitted to the Human Resources Office within 30 calendar days from the effective date of employment.  Academic degrees must have been awarded by regionally accredited institutions.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

DRI employs only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the U.S. DRI only sponsors aliens applying for research faculty or postdoctoral fellow positions (J-1 or H-1B Visas).

All applicants hired by the Desert Research Institute are subject to E-Verify.