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) in our Houston, TX facilities.

The Research Scientist II conducts experiments and develops numerical models, collects data, and prepares reports to support the research efforts of the ESRI, a UL Research Institute (ULRI). Collaborating closely with ESRI leaders and researchers, the Research Scientist II contributes to research on battery safety science and other energy storage systems, ensuring that all procedures are accurate and technically rigorous.

Electrochemical Safety Research Institute:

The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI) 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.

UL Research Institutes:

At UL Research Institutes, 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 Office of Partnership team who facilitates the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Through all of our programs, we aim to unlock the diverse perspectives that are essential for solving the world's most pressing safety and sustainability issues.

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:

• Plans and conducts experiments or develops numerical models focused on energy storage safety science, with an emphasis on lithium-ion batteries, other battery chemistries, and hydrogen systems.

• Keeps up with evolving technologies in the field by reading scientific journals, staying informed on recent publications, and attending academic conferences.

• Applies extensive and varied scientific knowledge to address specific research tasks.

• Collects preliminary data for projects and collaborates with other research scientists to conduct research.

• Documents laboratory procedures, prepares comprehensive reports, presents findings, and publishes results.

• Works independently in both laboratory and field settings.

• Supports the development of new research proposals and funding for grant applications.

• Presents research outcomes internally and at conferences and workshops.

• Performs other duties as directed.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes:

For the organizations across the UL enterprise, corporate and social responsibility isn't new. 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 and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You'll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.

• Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Demonstrated general knowledge of electrochemical engineering, energy storage, battery safety and safety of other energy technologies.

• Demonstrated expertise in conducting experiments examining performance and safety of energy storage technologies (or) in numerical simulations of safety aspects of energy storage technologies

• Demonstrated ability to carry out independent research and publications.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain academic and applied knowledge and skills.

• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills required.

• Ability to collaborate with academic teams, peers and work directly with Research Scientists and other team members to complete a project from start to finish.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Materials Science. M.S. candidates must have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience post-degree.

• Experience working with lithium-ion or other battery chemistries or hydrogen, required

• For candidates with numerical simulation experience, a fundamental understanding of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and combustion is required.

• Experience with commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools is preferred.

• Experience with modeling thermal runaway simulations in lithium-ion cells is a plus.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Solutions, advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Solutions, which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.