Demonstrated hands-on battery research laboratory capabilities, including glovebox and dryroom technical operations, and knowledge of energy storage and conversion technologies, materials, and processes.
Experience with thin-film flexible cells, low-power, solid-state, or micro-scale energy storage systems.
Experience in materials synthesis, including solgel, solvent, powder processing, ball-milling, and CVD; characterization, including PXRD, FTIR, GC-MS, ARC, SEM-EDX, TGA-DSC, rheology, moisture analysis, and optical imaging; and analysis.
Expertise in profile matching and Rietveld refinement, and familiarity with large-scale instrument beamtime, including synchrotron x-rays and neutron sources, are a plus.
Electrochemical expertise in electrode mixing, coating, calendaring, and slitting or punching; cell fabrication in Swagelok, coin, and pouch cell formats for two- and three-electrode setups; testing protocols including cycling, rate, conductivity, EIS/DCIR, and CV; and use of Arbin, Gamry, Biologic, and Neware cyclers.
Related modeling experience and programming knowledge, such as VBA and Python, are a plus.
Ability to maintain science- and engineering-based academic and applied knowledge and skills.
Excellent communication, management, and organizational skills.
Ability to work as a self-motivated, independent researcher while collaborating with peers to complete projects from start to finish and meet deliverables, timelines, and budgets.
Strong technical report writing skills and the ability to serve as lead author on reports and papers.
A bachelor's degree in chemistry, materials science or engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering (or a related engineering or scientific discipline), plus at least 6 years of directly related post-degree work experience; or a master's degree in those fields plus at least 2 years of directly related post-degree work experience; or a Ph.D. in those fields.
Responsibilities
Formulate important problems, conduct literature reviews, design and perform experiments, gather data, develop findings, and prepare technical papers and presentations supporting research and development activities.
Work closely with Electrochemical Safety leaders and researchers and external project collaborators to conduct tests and analyses associated with battery and hybrid energy storage systems, novel materials, and safety science, ensuring processes are accurate and technically sound.
Work across electrochemistry, materials, thermal science, and systems engineering using first-principles thinking and rigorous experimentation to identify mechanisms and translate insights into practical technologies and safety solutions.
Identify and pursue fundamental knowledge that enhances UL Research Institutes' thought leadership and supports its strategy.
Use design of experiments (DOE) to plan, execute, and complete initial and follow-up procedures to test and validate results.
Apply engineering technology and systems engineering concepts to research tasks; use fundamentals-based judgment to evaluate and correlate engineering research concepts, guide analysis of unique problems, and develop improved techniques and methods.
Analyze data and laboratory test results to identify trends, draw data-driven conclusions, and develop solutions.
Handle and work with inorganic, organic, polymer, composite, and other materials for synthesis and disassembly or assembly characterization; independently operate instrumentation and collect data; and provide insights through data analysis.
Disseminate results through peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations, speaking engagements such as podcasts, webinars, teaching, and panels, and other events.
Engage and collaborate with team members and university partners.
Stay current with literature by reading journals, scientific publications, and industry news, following 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.
Desired Qualifications
Experience with thin-film flexible cells, low-power, solid-state, or micro-scale energy storage systems.
Expertise in profile matching and Rietveld refinement, and familiarity with large-scale instrument beamtime, including synchrotron x-rays and neutron sources.
Cell teardown (DPA) know-how.
Related modeling experience and programming knowledge, such as VBA and Python.
Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist II at UL Research Institutes (ULRI) Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI), based in our Houston, TX facilities. The Research Scientist II critically formulates important problems, conducts literature reviews, designs and performs experiments, gathers data, develops findings, and prepares technical papers and presentations that support the research and development activities of Electrochemical Safety’s within UL Research Institutes. The Research Scientist II works closely with Electrochemical Safety’s leaders and researchers, as well as external project collaborators, to carry out tests and analyses associated with battery and hybrid 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, 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 (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.
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:
Works across electrochemistry, materials, thermal science, and systems engineering, using first-principles thinking and rigorous experimentation to uncover mechanisms that others have overlooked, and turn those insights into practical technologies and safety solutions.
Identifies and actively pursues the understanding of fundamental knowledge required to enhance ULRI’s thought leadership and support the strategy of ULRI.
Uses design of experiment (DOE) to plan, execute, and complete initial and follow-up procedures, as required, to test and validate results.
Applies intensive and diverse knowledge of engineering technology and systems engineering concepts to the specific research tasks. Exercises fundamentals-based judgment in formulating, evaluating, and correlating broad engineering research concepts and guiding the analysis of unique problems and developing new and improved techniques and methods. Analyzes data and laboratory test results to determine trends, form data-driven conclusions, and develop solutions.
Handles and works with various materials (inorganic, organic, polymers, composites, solvents, etc.) for synthesis and (dis)assembly for characterization with independent operation of instrumentation setup and data collection and provides insights through data analyses.
Dissemination of results through peer-reviewed journal publications; presentations at conferences, speaking engagements (podcast, webinars, teaching, panels, etc.), and other events representation.
Engages and collaborates with team members and university partners.
Stays abreast of the latest literature in the field by reading journals, scientific publications, industry news, safety events, and attending academic conferences.
Assists 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 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 hands on battery (lithium-ion technology and beyond) research laboratory capabilities (including glovebox and dryroom technical operations) and knowledge (energy storage and conversion technologies, materials, and processes).
Experience with thin-film flexible cells, low‑power, solid‑state, or micro‑scale energy storage systems
Profile matching and Rietveld refinement expertise, as well as familiarity with large-scale instrument beamtime (synchrotron x-rays, neutron) are a plus.
Electrochemical expertise: electrode (mix, coat, calendar, and slit/punch) and cell fabrication (Swagelok, coin, and pouch cell formats for two- and three-electrode setups), testing protocols (cycling, rate, conductivity, EIS / DCIR, CV, etc.) on different cyclers (Arbin, Gamry, Biologic, Neware, etc.), and advanced data analysis skills; cell teardown (DPA) knowhow is a plus.
Related modeling experience and programming knowledge (VBA, python, etc.) are a plus.
Ability to maintain science- and engineering-based academic and applied knowledge and skills.
Excellent communication, management, and organizational skills.
Ability to be a self-motivated, independent researcher but actively collaborates with peers to complete a project from start to finish by efficiently meeting deliverables, timeline, and budget.
Strong technical report writing skills and the ability to serve as lead author on reports and papers.
Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science or engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering (or related engineering or scientific discipline) plus 6 or more years of directly related work experience post degree, or
Master’s degree in chemistry, materials science or engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering (or related engineering or scientific discipline) plus 2 or more years of directly related work experience post degree, or
Ph.D. in chemistry, materials science or engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering (or related engineering or scientific discipline).
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.
To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.