Summer 2023 Electrochemical Intern - Electrochemical Safety Research Institute

Underwriters Laboratories Electrochemical Safety Research Institute  (ESRI) is seeking a Summer 2023 Intern to join us for a 10-12 week research experience.  As an ESRI intern, you will initiate, develop and execute electrochemical safety science research projects by applying scientific principles and concepts that are critical to our corporate strategy’s mission of advancing safety through science and the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute’s mission of advancing safer energy storage systems through science.

The Summer Intern will work with our scientists in the Electrochemical Safety team on their research projects.  The Electrochemical Safety Institute focuses on battery safety and hydrogen safety research at this time but will expand to other areas of materials research and other forms of energy in the near future.  The summer intern can work with the team on carrying out off-nominal tests or carrying out modeling and simulations for specific studies that include off-nominal events associated with batteries and other energy storage systems. Projects require expert and extensive knowledge of state-of-the-art principals and theories and uses professional concepts and procedures to solve a wide range of scientific problems. Projects involve studies on characterizing worst case thermal runaway propagation at different states of charge and usage of mitigation materials and designs.  Interactive discussions with other team members and supervisor are required for successful performance.  The Summer Intern will work to develop a broad knowledge of state of the art principles and theories and makes sufficient contributions to publish in scientific literature and present at conferences.

At UL Research Institutes, 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. UL Research Institutes 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!

UL Research Institutes 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.

As an Electrochemical Intern, you will play a role in the research conducted by the Elecctrochemical Research Institute

• Assist with the performance of experiments
• Conducts and documents reviews of scientific literature to support research project needs
• Supports the development of research reports through writing, modeling, and simulations
• Performs other duties as directed.
• Read and follow the Underwriters Laboratories Code of Conduct, and follow all laboratory safety, physical and digital security practices.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical or Materials Engineering required. 
• Prefer candidates enrolled in a MS or Ph.D. program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical or Materials Engineering.
• Demonstrated general knowledge of scientific disciplines in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical or Materials Engineering.
• Demonstrated working with lithium-ion cells and batteries in graduate school is required.
• Demonstrated experience in modeling and simulation studies related to off-nominal behaviors of batteries specifically lithium-ion is also recommended but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out independent research and publications.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain academic and applied knowledge and skills.
• Ability to collaborate with peers and work directly with other team members and external collaborators in order to complete a project from start to finish.
• Report writing, presentation and general communication skills are required.

• 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.

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.