Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Post-Doctoral Researcher at UL Research Institutes (ULRI), Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI) based in our Houston, TX, facilities. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will conduct independent research in preparation for a scientific career, supporting the energy storage and conversion safety research of ESRI.
Responsibilities include literature review; experimental design and execution; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and preparation of technically sound, compliant reports, peer‑reviewed publications, and presentations for battery‑related research projects.
This two‑year postdoctoral appointment supports research programs focused on lithium‑ion battery recycling, critical materials regeneration, and advanced battery technologies. The position contributes to laboratory‑based research that integrates chemistry, electrochemistry, and safety science to develop sustainable, safe, advanced technologies with real‑world relevance.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with ESRI scientists and external collaborators in a basic research environment, supporting multidisciplinary research efforts and contributing to the Institute’s mission of advancing safety science and sustainability in energy storage systems.
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.
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:
Develop and conduct hands‑on experimental research related to battery recycling, regeneration of critical materials, and advanced battery technologies in compliance with institutional, ULRI, and federal regulations.
Perform laboratory testing, data analysis, and technical documentation to evaluate recycling processes, including hydrometallurgical and direct recycling, in accordance with ULRI safety and quality standards.
Apply chemistry, electrochemistry, and chemical engineering principles to meet research objectives and exercise scientific and engineering concepts.
Analyze complex and novel technical problems by developing or adapting experimental techniques and methods; recommend data-driven solutions.
Support the dissemination of research through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, data visualizations, and conference presentations in collaboration with internal and external partners.
Build foundational technical expertise to support ULRI’s research strategy and thought leadership in battery safety and sustainability.
Collaborate with and provide technical guidance to research partners and colleagues to support knowledge transfer based on subject matter expertise.
Maintain current awareness of developments in the field through review of scientific literature, industry publications, safety-related information, and participation in relevant technical or academic conferences.
Perform other duties as assigned.
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:
Demonstrate hands-on experience with battery materials, advanced battery technologies, electrochemistry, inert atmosphere manipulation, research laboratory operations, and battery recycling processes.
Handle and work with a range of materials (including inorganic, organic, polymeric, composite materials, and solvents) for battery (dis)assembly and characterization; independently operates laboratory instrumentation, conducts data collection, and interprets results through data analysis.
Ability to support research in a chemistry laboratory environment, including materials characterization and analysis using techniques such as PXRD, FTIR, GC MS, ARC, SEM EDX, TGA DSC, rheology, moisture analysis, optical imaging, flash point measurements, and flame studies.
Demonstrate electrochemical research experience, including electrode preparation (mixing, coating, calendaring, slitting/punching), cell fabrication (Swagelok, coin, and pouch cell formats), and execution of testing protocols (cycling, rate capability, conductivity, EIS/DCIR, CV, etc.) using battery cyclers and potentiostats (e.g., Arbin, Gamry, Bio Logic, Neware), with strong data analysis capabilities.
Ability to work as a self-motivated and independent researcher while actively collaborating with peers to execute projects from initiation through completion, meeting defined deliverables and timelines.
Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality technical reports and serve as a lead or contributing author on peer-reviewed publications.
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 in a chemistry and battery research lab is required.
Experience in battery recycling is preferred.
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.
To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.
Salary Range:
$67,319.32-$92,564.06
Pay Type:
Salary