Research Intern

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Summer 2026 Intern at UL Research Institutes, based in our Columbia, MD office.

Are you passionate about using research to address real-world environmental challenges? UL Research Institutes is seeking a motivated and dedicated Research Intern to join our team for the summer. This 3-month internship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in water decontamination research, contribute to meaningful projects, and develop valuable skills in experimental work and data analysis.

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 Fire Safety teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)

UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire safety knowledge to address the world’s unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. As part of UL Research Institutes, we are committed to sharing our fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL’s public safety mission of providing safe living and working environments for people everywhere. Through advanced fire science, rigorous research, extensive outreach, and education in collaboration with our international network of partners, we share with stakeholders the information, tools, and resources that enable them to make better, more fire-safe decisions that ultimately save lives and property. To learn more, visit FSRI.org.

What you’ll learn and achieve:

As the Research Summer 2026, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Assist in conducting research projects related to Fire safety mission and goals. This may involve literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, and synthesizing information from various sources.

• Conduct  analyses of textual and numerical data sets to draw meaningful insights and trends.

• Support in creating reports, presentations, and visualizations summarizing research findings. Prepare materials for internal and external presentations.

• Work closely with the research team and other departments to gather information, share insights, and contribute to a collaborative and innovative research environment.

• Stay current with relevant literature, trends, and developments in the field to contribute valuable insights to ongoing projects.

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.

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:

• Excellent communication and writing skills.

• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Excel, Python, LabView) and other research tools.

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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

 Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Currently, enrolled in a bachelor's program in a related field (e.g., fire protection, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, computer systems, or computer science.)

• Strong interest in the non-profit sector and research related to safety, social or environmental issues.

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.

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