Summer 2025 Intern - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Summer 2025 Intern at UL Research Institutes Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI) in our Houston, TX facilities.

The Summer Intern will support the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute's mission of advancing safer energy storage systems through science. Working under the Electrochemical Safety team, the intern will engage in cutting-edge research projects focused on energy storage safety, modeling, and simulations. ESRI's research interests lie in the area of energy storage safety research, performance testing of commercial cells of li-ion and sodium-ion types, optimizing recycling approaches, synthesis of novel materials and preparing electrodes and low capacity coin and pouch format cells, testing lab-scale flow batteries and outreach activities that include public safety campaigns on safe recycling. This internship offers an opportunity to contribute to scientific advancements in battery safety and recycling as well as characterizing the performance of commercial cells of different chemistries.

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 Summer 2025 Intern, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Supports the initiation, development, and execution of research projects in electrochemical safety by apply scientific principles that align with the corporate strategy of advancing safety through science.

• Conducts research in the ESRI labs to complete tasks assigned for the summer.

• Collaborates with team members and supervisors through interactive discussions to enhance project outcomes.

• Contributes to scientific knowledge by publishing findings in scientific literature and presenting at conferences.

• Supports research on battery safety, novel materials, and alternative energy storage solutions.

• Performs administrative duties as needed, including data entry, scheduling, and coordination of meetings.

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.

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:

• Strong foundation in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials engineering principles

• General lab procedures and the ability to learn and follow instructions from the mentor on assigned tasks.

• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with team members.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report wiring and presentation capabilities.

• Analytical mindset with a problem-solving orientation and an ability to synthesize complex scientific data.

• An eagerness to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate, M.S. or Ph.D. program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Engineering.

• Demonstrated experience with lithium-ion cells and batteries, or willing to learn, particularly in a research setting.

• Proven ability to conduct independent research with an interest in writing a technical white paper or manuscript for publication..

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.