Lead Research Scientist I, New Materials - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

UL Research Institutes • Rockville, MD

10d • Onsite

About The Position

We have exciting opportunities for Lead Research Scientists I, New Materials at UL Research Institutes. We are currently recruiting for several scientist roles. While this position is currently posted at the Lead level, we welcome applications from exceptional talent whose experience, research focus and accomplishments may align with a different level within our organization. As part of the evaluation process, candidates may be considered for appointment at a higher or lower level, as appropriate. Any level determination will be based on demonstrated qualifications, expertise, leadership impact, and alignment with the scope and responsibilities of the role. Electrochemical Safety Research Institutes based in our Maryland research facilities. The Lead Research Scientist I leads and executes electrochemical battery safety and energy storage research focused on addressing complex scientific challenges related to thermal runaway, fire behavior, battery materials, manufacturing, charging technologies, and system-level risks. Through experimental research, scientific leadership, and collaboration across the battery innovation ecosystem, this role advances knowledge, develops innovative material solutions, and supports safer energy storage technologies through science. 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 team who conducts the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice. 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. Through all of our programs, we aim to unlock the diverse perspectives that are essential for solving the world’s most pressing safety and sustainability issues.

Requirements

• PhD in a related discipline and 6+ years of directly related post-degree experience, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated fundamental knowledge and independent thinking of electrochemical engineering, energy storage, and safety science.
• Demonstrated independent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Advanced instrument design, installation, programming, and data analysis skills.
• Ability to collaborate with peers and work with team members in order to complete a project from start to finish.
• Ability to serve as lead author on high-impact papers and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct energy-storage material research projects focused on safety by applying scientific principles and concepts that are critical to advancing ESRI's mission of advancing safer energy storage systems through science.
• Investigates complex scientific challenges related to high-temperature LFP batteries and electrolytes for better safety and higher energy efficiency to novel methods of recycling LFP batteries at scale.
• Identifies fundamental knowledge gaps in battery safety and energy storage systems, including the physics of thermal runaway, extreme fast charging, high-temperature LFP batteries, advanced electrolytes for improved safety and energy efficiency, and scalable battery recycling technologies, to advance ULRI's thought leadership and research strategy.
• Applies first-principles thinking, sound scientific judgment, and independent problem-solving skills to develop innovative approaches to real-world problems.
• Maintains awareness of emerging tools, safety research, regulatory developments, and scientific advances by reading the literature and attending academic conferences.
• Plans, designs, and executes battery safety experiments and testing protocols to evaluate hazards, validate findings, and support research objectives.
• Collaborate with outside research partners.
• Participates in associations and research/stakeholder organizations
• Contributes to and leads research analysis, experimental design, and technical execution of battery safety research programs across the battery innovation ecosystem.
• Contributes to and/or leads other department specific and cross-functional initiatives.

Benefits

• bonus compensation
• medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay
• additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment
• flexible working arrangements
• paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree