Research Scientist II - Materials Discovery Research Institute

Job Description We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist II at UL Research Institutes Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI), based in our Skokie, Illinois, facilities. The Research Scientist II will focus on the discovery, development, and characterization of advanced materials to address global challenges, including carbon capture and utilization, catalysis, photocatalysis, water purification, green hydrogen generation, hydrogen storage, and environmental remediation. The position will apply high-throughput methodologies, automated synthesis techniques, advanced characterization tools, and performance testing, supported by high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) capabilities. The Research Scientist II will be expected to communicate research findings through publications, patents, presentations, and organizational initiatives that advance MDRI’s mission. 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 Materials Discovery Research Institute team who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice. Materials Discovery Research Institute: The Materials Discovery Research Institute works to develop and deploy new materials with the potential to address current global safety challenges. Pursuing materials that will help produce transformational safety breakthroughs, MDRI harnesses the power of advanced computing and high-throughput experimental methods to create innovative materials that will produce resilience for a sustainable future and protect individual and societal health. We focus on today’s critical challenges, working to create new and better materials that will support renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Among our top priorities is research into materials capable of carbon capture and energy storage, with an eye toward reducing the adverse impacts of humanity’s reliance upon fossil fuel resources and enabling a transition to renewable energy sources. Above all, our research builds on our commitment to a safer, more sustainable future. What you’ll learn and achieve: As the Research Scientist II, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you: Design and execute projects to discover and develop novel materials for sustainability-driven applications, including carbon capture and utilization, water purification, green hydrogen generation, hydrogen storage, catalysis, photocatalysis, and environmental remediation. Leverage machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the materials discovery process and enhance research impact. Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data using advanced instrumentation and computational tools. Apply advanced characterization techniques to understand and differentiate material properties and performance. Develop standard operation procedures (SOPs) for synthesis procedures and instrument operations. Adhere to safe work practices and operational guidelines. Collaborate efficiently in a multifunctional team environment and engage with internal and external collaborators. Contribute towards the publication of research papers, technical reports, and patent applications, representing MDRI in the scientific community and at industry events. 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. While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes: Advanced knowledge of materials science with a focus on, including synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation. Experience in materials discovery and hands-on expertise in a wet lab environment. Familiarity with accelerated materials discovery methodologies, incorporating machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance research efficiency. Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify root causes, develop practical solutions, and collaborate with colleagues. Genuine enthusiasm for experimental laboratory work, with a strong commitment to advancing research through hands-on activities. Demonstrated proficiency in delivering technical presentations and achieving peer-reviewed scientific journal publications. Excellent time and project management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously with the ability to adapt to new challenges quickly. Positive and collaborative attitude with exceptional interpersonal skills for effective teamwork across the organization. High degree of curiosity to learn about the mission and impact of the organization and its specialized areas. Excellent written, oral communication, and presentation skills. Ability to thrive in an innovative environment. Professional education and experience requirements for the role include: PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Materials Chemistry or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Materials Chemistry a related technical field plus 2 years of directly related experience or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Materials Chemistry or a related technical field plus 6 years of directly related experience 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. Salary Range: $81,456.37-$112,002.51 Pay Type: Salary Join our Talent Community to stay informed about our upcoming opportunities! UL Research Institutes is a leading independent safety science organization with global reach. Dedicated to exploring vital questions related to public safety, we sense and act on risks to humanity and our planet. Since 1894, our trusted research has engaged the ingenuity of top minds across scientific disciplines to engineer a safer and more sustainable world. Science builds the knowledge required to mitigate increasingly urgent safety problems like environmental and chemical pollution or artificial intelligence inequities — and our rigorous, objective investigations uncover that knowledge. In collaboration with a global network of scientists and safety professionals, we define the safe and sustainable use of things ranging from legacy materials to new and emerging technologies. Our discoveries support the development of practical standards and policies by UL Standards & Engagement. Together, we are advancing safety science for the greater good.

Salary : $81,456 - $112,003