Research Scientist II - Materials Discovery Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist II at UL Research Institutes, Materials Discovery Research Institute, based in our Skokie, Illinois, facilities. The Research Scientist II will focus on the discovery, development, and characterization of advanced materials to address global challenges, including carbon capture and utilization, catalysis, atmospheric water harvesting, water purification, and environmental remediation. The position will apply high-throughput methodologies, automated synthesis techniques, advanced characterization tools, and performance testing, supported by high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) capabilities. The Research Scientist II will be expected to communicate research findings through publications, patents, presentations, and organizational initiatives that advance MDRI’s mission.

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 (Pick one of Chemical Insights, Digital Safety, Electrochemical Safety, Fire Safety, Materials Discovery Research Institute, Standards) teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Materials Discovery Research Institute:

The Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) works to develop and deploy new materials with the potential to address current global safety challenges. Pursuing materials that will help produce transformational safety breakthroughs, MDRI harnesses the power of advanced computing and high-throughput experimental methods to create innovative materials that will produce resilience for a sustainable future and protect individual and societal health.

We focus on today’s critical challenges, working to create new and better materials that will support renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Among our top priorities is research into materials capable of carbon capture and energy storage, with an eye toward reducing the adverse impacts of humanity’s reliance upon fossil fuel resources and enabling a transition to renewable energy sources.

Above all, our research builds on our commitment to a safer, more sustainable future.

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:

• Design and execute projects to discover and develop novel materials for sustainability-driven applications, including carbon capture and utilization, atmospheric water harvesting, water purification, and environmental remediation.

• Leverage machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the materials discovery process and enhance research impact.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data using advanced instrumentation and computational tools.

• Apply advanced characterization techniques to understand and differentiate material properties and performance.

• Develop standard operation procedures (SOPs) for synthesis procedures and instrument operations.

• Adhere to safe work practices and operational guidelines.

• Collaborate efficiently in a multifunctional team environment and engage with internal and external collaborators. 

• Contribute towards the publication of research papers, technical reports, and patent applications, representing MDRI in the scientific community and at industry events. 

• 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 nearly 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 response that today’s global challenges require.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what’s on the horizon a