Research Scientist II - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

About the role

The Research Scientist II position at UL Research Institutes (ULRI) Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI) is based in Houston, TX. This role involves conducting literature reviews, designing and performing experiments, gathering data, developing preliminary findings, and preparing written reports and presentations to support the research and development activities of ESRI.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute of independent research aimed at enhancing ULRI’s thought leadership and advancing strategic objectives.
• Plan, design, and complete initial and follow-up procedures using design of experiments (DOE) methodology to test and validate results.
• Apply extensive and diverse knowledge of engineering technology and systems engineering concepts to the specific research tasks.
• Exercise a high degree of 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.
• Analyze data and laboratory test results to determine trends, form data-driven conclusions, and develop solutions.
• Conducts material synthesis, assembly/disassembly, and characterization across diverse material types, independently operating instrumentation and analyzing data.
• Communicates research outcomes through reports, publications, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Serves as a key research collaborator and subject-matter expert, supporting knowledge transfer, cross-training, and partnership across teams.
• Stays abreast of the latest literature in the field by reading journals, scientific publications, industry news, safety events, and attending academic conferences.
• Affords assistance with grant and proposal writing for funding or large-scale instrument facility use.

Requirements

• Demonstrated hands-on battery (lithium-ion technology and beyond) research laboratory capabilities (including glovebox and dry room 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.
• Materials synthesis (solgel, solvent, powder processing, ball-milling, CVD, etc.), characterization (PXRD, FTIR, GC-MS, ARC, SEM-EDX, TGA-DSC, rheology, moisture analysis, optical imaging etc.), and analysis experience.
• Profile matching and Rietveld refinement expertise, as well as familiarity with large-scale instrument beamtime (synchrotron x-rays, neutron).
• Electrochemical expertise: electrode (mix, coat, calender, 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, plus six (6) years post degree of directly related experience.
• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, plus two (2) years post degree of directly related experience.
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.

Skills

• Hands-on battery research laboratory capabilities.
• 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.
• Materials synthesis and characterization skills.
• Electrochemical expertise: electrode fabrication, cell fabrication, testing protocols, and data analysis.
• Programming and modeling skills.

Benefits

UL Research Institutes offers comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay, and additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Flexible working arrangements may be discussed with your manager.

Pay

$81,456.37 - $112,002.51 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. Pay type: Salary.