Post-Doctoral Researcher - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Post-Doctoral Researcher at Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI), within UL Research Institutes (ULRI), based in our Houston, TX facilities. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will perform independent research in preparation for a career as a scientific professional, contributing to and advancing the energy storage and conversion safety research and development activities of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will conduct literature reviews, design and perform experiments, gather and analyze data, develop preliminary findings, and prepare reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, and presentations associated with the materials-level battery-related research projects and ensure all processes and information are accurate and technically sound.

This two-year Post-Doctoral Researcher position is focused on addressing concerns related to the advancements in the safety of batteries and energy storage systems, starting at the materials-level and low-capacity cells-level pertaining to novel chemistries.

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 Electrochemical Safety research 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 Post-Doctoral Researcher, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Conduct independent primary research to characterize the safety of novel battery and energy storage materials and low-capacity cells, following institutional and federal regulations.

• Apply extensive knowledge of scientific principles, engineering technology, and systems engineering concepts to execute complex research tasks with a focus on materials characterization (inorganic, organic, polymers, composites, solvents, etc.).

• Exercise a high degree of judgment in formulating, evaluating, and correlating broad engineering research concepts, guiding the analysis of unique problems, and developing new and improved techniques and methods.

• Develop and execute independent research aimed at enhancing ULRI's thought leadership and advancing strategic objectives.

• Assist with experiments, data collection, and evaluations; supports researchers on collaborative projects by analyzing laboratory data and test results to identify trends, develop solutions, and draw data-driven conclusions.

• Plan, design, and complete initial and follow-up procedures using design of experiments (DOE) methodology to test hypotheses and validate results.

• Perform research to a high standard, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements while handling and assembling/disassembling various materials and independently operating specialized instrumentation.

• Collaborate with ULRI colleagues, universities, and external research partners; actively engages in cross-training and knowledge transfer based on individual subject matter expertise.

• Contribute to and participates in webinars, conference presentations, writing and publishing peer-reviewed journal papers, and public speaking opportunities (e.g., podcasts, panels, teaching sessions).

• Assist 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:

• Proven ability to perform independent research and support information dissemination.

• 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).

• Ability to support research in a chemistry lab environment: materials characterization and analysis experience (PXRD, FTIR, GC-MS, ARC, SEM-EDX, TGA-DSC, rheology, moisture analysis, optical imaging, flash point measurements, flame studies, etc.).

• Electrochemical expertise: electrode (mix, coat, calendar, and slit/punch) and cell fabrication (Swagelok, coin, and pouch cell formats for two- and three-electrode setups), cell teardown (DPA), testing protocols (cycling, rate, conductivity, EIS / DCIR, CV, etc.) on different cyclers (Arbin, Gamry, Biologic, Neware, etc.), and advanced data analysis skills.

• 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:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering conferred within three years of application or completion of Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment.

• Experience working in a chemistry research lab required.

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 affiliate, UL Solutions, stands alongside us in working for a safer and more sustainable world. UL Solutions 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.

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