Research Scientist III - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

UL Research Institutes • Houston, TX

4d • $89,602 - $123,203 • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Scientist III conducts literature reviews, designs and performs experiments, gathers data, develops preliminary findings, and prepares written reports and presentations that support the research and development activities of ESRI. The Research Scientist III works closely with ESRI leaders and researchers, as well as external project collaborators, to carry out tests and analyses associated with supercapacitor, battery, and other energy storage systems pertaining to novel materials and safety science to ensure all processes are accurate and technically sound. UL Research Institutes (ULRI) expands the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, ULRI has studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared its findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. ULRI identifies critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because it believes a safer world begins with knowledge. The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI) investigates the safety and performance limits of energy technologies. Through discovery-driven research, ESRI innovates, tests, models, and lays the foundation for electrochemical energy storage that is both safe and reliable. ESRI's scientific research helps everyone in the energy storage and battery value chain understand and minimize the 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, ESRI disseminates 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 hands on supercapacitor and battery (lithium-ion technology and beyond) research laboratory capabilities (including glovebox and dryroom technical operations) and knowledge (energy storage and conversion technologies, materials, and processes).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; plus 2 years of related experience post-degree or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; plus 4 years of directly related experience post-degree or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field plus 8 years of directly related experience post-degree.

Nice To Haves

• Profile matching and Rietveld refinement expertise, as well as familiarity with large-scale instrument beamtime (synchrotron x-rays, neutron) are a plus.
• Related modeling experience and programming knowledge (VBA, python, etc.) are a plus.
• Cell teardown (DPA) knowhow is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and actively pursues the understanding of fundamental knowledge required to enhance ULRI’s thought leadership and support the strategy of ULRI.
• Uses design of experiment (DOE): plans, executes, and completes initial and follow-up procedures, as required, to test and validate results.
• Applies intensive and diverse knowledge of engineering technology and systems engineering concepts to the specific research tasks.
• Exercises 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.
• Analyzes data and laboratory test results to determine trends, form data-driven conclusions, and develop solutions.
• Handles and works with various materials (inorganic, organic, polymers, composites, solvents, etc.) for synthesis and (dis)assembly for characterization with independent operation of instrumentation setup and data collection and provides insights through data analyses.
• Internal and external dissemination of results in Microsoft Office formats and peer-reviewed journal publications; presentations at conferences, speaking engagements (podcast, webinars, teaching, panels, etc.), and other events representation.
• Is a point of contact on research projects, engages, collaborates, cross-trains, and guides partners and team members on related knowledge transfer based upon individual subject matter expertise.
• Stays abreast of the latest literature in the field by reading journals, scientific publications, industry news, safety events, and attending academic conferences.
• Assists with grant and proposal writing for funding or large-scale instrument facility use.
• Perform other duties as directed.

Benefits

• Bonus compensation
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• Generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay
• Additional 4% into retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on role, to be discussed with manager)
• 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