Research Scientist II - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist II at UL Research Institutes, Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI), based in our Houston, Texas facilities. The Research Scientist II conduct literature reviews, designs and performs experiments, gather data, develop preliminary findings, and prepare written reports and presentations that support the research and development activities of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute. The Research Scientist II works closely with ESRI leaders and researchers, as well as external project collaborators, to carry out tests and analyses associated with battery and other energy storage systems pertaining to novel materials and safety science to ensure all processes are accurate and technically sound.

UL Research Institutes:

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Electrochemical Safety team who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Electrochemical Safety Research Institute:

The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute investigates the safety and performance limits of energy technologies. Through our discovery-driven research, we innovate, test, model, and lay the foundation for electrochemical energy storage that is both safe and reliable. Our scientific research helps everyone in the energy storage and battery value chain — from cell and battery manufacturers, suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers to recyclers, shippers, and consumers — understand and thereby help minimize the various safety risks associated with batteries in various applications, including electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.

Collaborating with a wide variety of partners to help meet the world’s energy safety needs, we disseminate information by convening a diverse group of stakeholders at events such as global battery summits and webinars to find data-driven solutions to new and emerging energy storage risks.

What you’ll learn and achieve:

As the Research Scientist II, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Develop and execute of independent research aimed at enhancing ULRI’s thought leadership and advancing strategic objectives.

• Plan, design, and complete initial and follow-up procedures using design of experiments (DOE) methodology to test hypotheses and validate results.

• Apply extensive knowledge of scientific principles, engineering technology, and systems engineering concepts to execute complex research tasks with a focus on materials characterization (inorganic, organic, polymers, composites, solvents, etc.).

• Exercise a high degree of judgment in formulating, evaluating, and correlating broad engineering research concepts, guiding the analysis of unique problems, and developing new and improved techniques and methods.

• Analyze data and laboratory test results to determine trends, form data-driven conclusions, and develop solutions.

• Contribute to and participates in webinars, conference presentations, writing and publishing peer-reviewed journal papers, and public speaking opportunities (e.g., podcasts, panels, teaching sessions).

• Serve as a resource for project teams, collaborating, cross-training, and sharing subject matter expertise.

• Stay abreast of the latest literature in the field by reading journals, scientific publications, industry news, safety events, and attending academic conferences.

• Assist with grant and proposal writing for funding or large-scale instrument facility use.

• Perform other duties as directed.

What you’ll experience working at UL Research Institutes: We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for over 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.

• People: Our people make us special. You’ll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific res