Director of Research, Center for Toxicology and Human Health - Chemical Insights Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for Director of Research, Center for Toxicology and Human Health​ at UL Research Institutes Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI), based in our Marietta, GA (Atlanta area) facilities. The Director of Research, Center for Toxicology and Human Health provides scientific and operational leadership for Chemical Insights research portfolio, advancing understanding of how chemical exposures affect human health through the integration of toxicology and molecular epidemiology. The Director establishes and executes Chemical Insights’ strategic research vision; oversees laboratory, clinical, and population-based research programs; and ensures the delivery of high-quality, impactful science. Working across disciplines, the Director advances innovative approaches that connect mechanistic toxicology, biomarkers of exposure and effect, and human health outcomes associated with real-world chemical exposures from products and the indoor and outdoor environment. As a visible scientific leader, the Director communicates research findings through publications, presentations, partnerships, and educational resources to inform scientific, public health, industry, regulatory, and policy audiences. Collaborating across UL Research Institutes and with external partners, the Director accelerates high-impact research, strengthens research capabilities, and enhances Chemical Insights’ reputation as a trusted scientific authority.

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 Chemical Insights team who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI):

The Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) contributes to the protection of public health and well-being by conducting scientific research. Our research and initiatives let people around the world know what chemicals are in the air we breathe and how they affect human health and the planet. We share our research and knowledge through information and application tools with leaders in the scientific, business, and policy communities to raise awareness of human health risks stemming from emerging technologies. To learn more, visit: chemicalinsights.org/

What you’ll learn and achieve:

As the Director of Research, Center for Toxicology and Human Health , you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Lead the development and execution of a multi‑year research agenda focused on the mechanisms of chemical toxicity, biomarkers of exposure and effect, and the human health effects of complex chemical exposures in the indoor and outdoor environment and the products people use.

• Direct the development and refinement of toxicological testing methodologies to identify mechanisms leading to adverse health effects.

• Oversee the design, execution, and analysis of in vitro toxicological studies on aerosol, volatile, and non-volatile chemical releases from consumer products, indoor/outdoor environments, and complex matrices.

• Provide strategic scientific oversight of molecular epidemiology research programs that evaluate the impact of chemical exposures on human health, identify susceptible populations, and elucidate mechanisms linking exposure to disease.

• Lead the integration of “omics’ data with clinical, exposure, and toxicological data to evaluate potential human health outcomes and elucidate mechanistic pathways.

• Develop partnerships with external organizations to use electronic health records, exposure data, and biobank samples to understand impacts of chemical exposures on human health.

• Oversee the operation of the Center’s laboratory, including instrumentation strategy, methodologies, quality, safety, and compliance to enable high‑fidelity toxicology and molecular epidemiology research.

• Communicate and translate research findings for scientific, practitioner, policy, and stakeholder audiences through publications, presentations, and educational resources to broaden impact and influence.

• Establish and sustain strategic partnerships with academia, government, public health institutes, and industry to co‑develop agendas, conduct research, and broaden impact.

• Serve as CIRI’s technical lead and ambassador, contributing to expert panels, speaking engagements, and stakeholder events to advance mission and reputation.

• Hire, lead, and develop a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team of scientists and/or engineers; set clear goals, coach for performance, support employee growth and development, build and maintain high employee engagement, and cultivate a culture of excellence and inclusion.

• Collaborate with colleagues within CIRI, including leaders in other scientific areas, partnerships, and communications, to pursue a shared vision and strategy for the Institute.

• Collaborate across UL Research Institutes and enterprise partners to ensure alignment, share best practices, and enable high-quality scientific outputs. Participate in department-specific and cross-functional initiatives as needed.

• Develop and manage budgets for research initiatives, laboratory capabilities, staffing, and dissemination activities; optimize resources for impact.

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:

• Deep expertise in molecular toxicology or molecular epidemiology, with demonstrated scientific proficiency in the complementary discipline and the ability to integrate both approaches to advance human health research.

• Demonstrated understanding of chemistry, exposure science, and their application to human health research.

• Demonstrated skills in integrating complex molecular endpoints, such as genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, or metabolomic measurements, to understand mechanisms linking chemical exposure to human disease.

• Proven ability to establish and execute multi‑year research strategy, translate into programs, and deliver results in complex, mission‑driven environments.

• Demonstrated strength in laboratory governance (quality, safety, compliance), instrumentation road‑mapping, and efficient project delivery, as well as effective budgeting and resource management.

• Engaging, approachable leader who builds high‑performing teams; sets standards and accountability; and develops talent.

• Strong interpersonal skills that enable and promote strong collaboration at all levels in the organization, within and across teams.

• Excellent written/oral communication with a track record of publications and technical presentations; effective at translating science for varied audiences.

• Proven ability to create and sustain strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

• Demonstrates sound judgment and data-informed decision-making, using scientific evidence and organizational metrics to drive continuous improvement.

• High degree of curiosity about CIRI’s mission and the broader ULRI impact; models integrity, safety, and ethical research practices.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Ph.D. in Toxicology, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Computational Biology, or related field; post‑doctoral experience in one of the listed fields strongly preferred.

• Minimum 12 years post‑graduate scientific experience with a record of peer‑reviewed publications and impactful research translation.

• Minimum 8 years leading laboratory operations and scientific teams; demonstrated success scaling capabilities and managing complex portfolios.

• Experience developing research plans and conducting toxicological or epidemiological studies.

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.

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