Director Safety Research - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI), of Underwriters Laboratories Research Institutes, is recruiting a Director of Safety Research that will lead the safety focus area with development of research ideas and agendas, implementation of research programs, oversight of test programs, and communication of research findings through publications, presentations, and various organizational and educational tools. The Director of Safety Research works closely with other leaders and colleagues across the research organization to advance the growth strategy of the institute.

At Underwriters Laboratories, we wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are endlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion and excellence. Underwriters Laboratories stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely!

• Develop research ideas and agenda based on new and developing energy storage technologies and their safety risks and challenges, execute research, and communicate findings.
• Hire, lead, and develop a team of high-performing scientists and engineers to deliver results in collaboration with leaders and other colleagues.
• Work to establish world-class energy storage expertise and capabilities within ESRI to enable impactful research contributions towards global challenges focused on sustainability and safety.
• Establish partnerships with academia, government and industry to develop research agenda, conduct research, and communicate for broad amplification of research findings and applications for positive global impacts.
• Manage and direct ongoing daily research and growth of research and laboratory resources needed to support research.
• Develop budgets as required for research initiatives, collaborations with various partners, and communication and education processes.
• Serve as technical lead to promote ESRI’s research and the UL Research Institutes organization through participation on expert panels, speaking engagements, stakeholder events, and external and internal opportunities.
• Collaborate with other UL research institutes, finance, strategy, human resources, and other functions to streamline, enhance, and support strategic planning and the annual budget processes, including identifying and prioritizing short and long-term goals and initiatives, outcomes, resource requirements, and performance metrics.
• Participate and contribute to other department specific and cross-functional initiatives.

UL has COVID-19 protocols and policies in place to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and clients. Effective November 1, 2021, the company mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment (except where prohibited by law), subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law. 

• Expert knowledge in electrochemical engineering, energy storage, battery safety and safety of other energy technologies.
• Problem solving skills with the ability to identify root causes, develop practical solutions, and work in collaboration with colleagues across the organization to address strategic, operational, and any other roadblocks to success.
• Leadership, initiative, and influence skills to create alignment and buy-in with multiple stakeholders and deliver results in a matrix organization.
• Positive and collaborative attitude and interpersonal skills to work effectively with leaders and colleagues across the organization.
• Engaging and approachable leadership style to lead and develop a high performing team, setting high standards and accountability for process and results.
• High degree of curiosity to learn about the mission and impact of the organization and its areas of specialization and effectively communicate the mission and goals of the organization with collaborators and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to operate at a strategic and operational level, including attention to detail, focus on quality, speed, and outcomes, and willingness to both lead the work and execute.
• Proficiency in MS Office is required. Advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint, and knowledge of analytical tools and databases are desired.

Experience and Education Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or Engineering, or equivalent required plus preferably at least 10 years of post-graduate experience with proven research and publication experience.
• Experience collaborating with industry or academic research with proven results in generating research plans and dissemination of results through delivering technical presentations and peer reviewed scientific journal publications.
• At least 8 years of experience in safety research in the area of batteries and energy storage systems.
• At least five years of experience leading scientific research teams, developing strategy, and executing plans.

• Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn’t new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 128 years and is deeply ingrained in everything we do.
• People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you’ll almost always hear, “the people.” Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL. We’re able to deliver the best because we employ the best.
• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers’ create. We’re inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play.
• Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles.
• Total Rewards: All employees at UL are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. We provide Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that UL contributes to twice per year! Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off.

UL Research Institutes is an affiliated nonprofit organization 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 wholly owned subsidiary, UL Inc., advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Inc., which 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.