Laboratory Researcher - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

UL Research Institutes • Houston, TX

3d • $61,199 - $84,149 • Onsite

About The Position

We have an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Researcher at UL Research Institutes , based in our Houston, TX office. Under general direction, the Laboratory Researcher assists in conducting experiments, gathering data, and preparing written reports. Works under the supervision of other research scientists to ensure that all processes are accurate and technically sound. Assists with the day-to-day laboratory/instrument operations and maintenance. 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 teams 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.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to maintain academic and applied knowledge and skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data collection, analysis and plotting, ability to take videos and photos as necessary during the tests.
• Demonstrated knowledge of handling analytical instruments such as FTIR, GC-MS, SEM-EDX, TGA-DSC, XRD, etc. in a chemistry lab.
• Excellent problem-solving skills related to instrumentation and data interpretation.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to collaborate with peers and work directly with research scientists and other team members to complete a project from start to finish.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related field with 2 or more years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related field

Responsibilities

• Identify fundamental knowledge needed to enhance UL’s thought leadership and support the strategy of UL.
• Document laboratory procedures and prepare detailed reports that include data plotting and analysis.
• Evaluate technical specifications and factors related to process or design objectives using a variety of analytical techniques, including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA/DSC), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV/Vis) Spectroscopy, and Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC).
• Identify and recommend appropriate hardware and equipment necessary for analytical operations.
• Remain current on emerging technologies and scientific trends by engaging with scientific literature and attending academic conferences.
• Support project initiation by gathering preliminary data and collaborating with research engineers and scientists to execute experiments.
• Develop and refine analytical methods and data analysis procedures to improve lab efficiency and data accuracy.
• Performs other duties as directed.

Benefits

• 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 This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level