Health, Safety, and Environment Lead
UL Research Institutes
Summary
The Health, Safety, and Environment Lead will be responsible for serving as the subject matter expert and embedded safety lead for UL Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) research, laboratory, engineering, and pilot-scale operations. The role provides advanced technical expertise and strategic guidance on complex HSE matters, partnering across functions to proactively identify risks, influence operational decisions, and implement best practices that support safe, compliant, and efficient research activities.
Job description
What you'll learn and achieve
- Lead, support, and document key HSE activities across MDRI operations, including active participation in work planning and day-to-day research, laboratory, engineering, and pilot-scale activities.
- Lead and support hazard identification, risk assessments, multidisciplinary reviews, and practical risk-control strategies that protect personnel, facilities, and the environment while supporting research and engineering objectives.
- Conduct operational readiness reviews to verify that appropriate controls, training, and safeguards are implemented and maintained.
- Investigate incidents and near misses, identify causes, drive corrective actions, and support continuous improvement in HSE performance.
- Partner with MDRI leadership, researchers, engineers, Facilities, Corporate HSE teams, vendors, contractors, and site partners to integrate HSE requirements into work planning, design, startup, and execution.
- Develop and deliver HSE training, onboarding, coaching, and safety communications that promote safe work practices.
- Lead safe facility, laboratory, and contractor operations through HSE coordination, infrastructure oversight, and emergency preparedness activities.
- Lead HSE compliance and management systems through inspections, audits, records, corrective-action tracking, emergency preparedness, and environmental programs.
- Promote a positive safety culture that encourages hazard recognition, risk awareness, open communication, and proactive intervention.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What makes you a great fit
- Strong understanding of occupational safety and health principles in research, laboratory, engineering, or R&D environments.
- Advanced knowledge of laboratory safety, chemical safety, industrial hygiene, engineering safety, emergency preparedness, and environmental compliance practices.
- Ability to identify hazards, evaluate risk, and recommend practical risk-control measures.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical requirements into clear operating expectations.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, engineers, facilities professionals, vendors, contractors, and all levels of management.
- Excellent organization, follow-through, project coordination, and documentation skills.
- Analytical problem-solving capability, sound professional judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment.
- Customer-service orientation, constructive coaching style, and commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Physical Sciences, Public Health, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 8 years of professional HSE, occupational safety, laboratory safety, engineering safety, industrial hygiene, facilities safety, manufacturing safety, or environmental compliance experience in a research, laboratory, engineering, pilot-scale, prototype development, or R&D environment.
- Experience conducting workplace inspections, hazard assessments, audits, incident reviews, corrective action follow-up, or compliance activities.
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and occupational safety principles.
- Experience delivering training or communicating technical safety information to non-HSE stakeholders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to use electronic systems for documentation, reporting, and tracking.
Benefits
- Bonus compensation
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life insurance
- 401(k) matching up to 5%
- Additional 4% retirement contribution
- Paid time off
- Vacation, holiday, sick days
- Volunteer days
- Flexible working arrangements
Company overview
UL Research Institutes is a leading independent safety science organization with global reach, established in 1894 as part of the UL enterprise. Dedicated to exploring vital questions related to public safety, the organization senses and acts on risks to humanity and our planet through rigorous scientific research. As one of three distinct organizations within the UL enterprise alongside UL Solutions and UL Standards & Engagement, UL Research Institutes focuses on discovery-driven investigations across multiple scientific disciplines. The organization conducts research in electrochemical safety science, fire science, chemical and environmental safety, data science, and emerging technologies. Their work supports the development of practical safety standards and policies while addressing urgent safety problems including environmental pollution, artificial intelligence inequities, and sustainable technology deployment. With a global network of scientists and safety professionals, UL Research Institutes defines the safe and sustainable use of materials ranging from legacy devices to new technologies, advancing safety science for the greater good through objective, evidence-based research.