Cathode Battery Scientist

We are looking for a Battery Scientist to improve our ability to understand and forecast the electrode slurry metrology, electrodes coating quality, degradation of electrodes as part of cell assembly. This role works together with other cathode scientist/engineers focused on cathode materials synthesis, analysis and durability spanning both our Research and Product Development teams, bridging the gap to make sure we build the best electrochemical cell that meets all of our requirements.

In this role, you will use your electrochemical experience and think creatively in order to solve problems that can be challenging to measure or predict. This opportunity offers the chance to work with people from different backgrounds and some of the most pressing developments of our cathode team.

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead the development of battery electrodes (cathode and anode) slurries, understand the rheology, mixing quality and how different materials property impact the slurry quality.
• Identify the gaps between cathode active materials (CAM) physiochemical properties to cell performance.
• Understand the cathode coating requirements for energy vs power cell, coating homogeneity, drying conditions and electrode coating density engineering.
• Able to make good quality coin cells, and pouch cells.
• Identify the electrode degradation mechanism in Li-ion cell by performing postmortem analysis.
• Background knowledge of different electrochemical analysis such as CV, EIS, capacity-voltage, DC resistance, CCCV, dq/dv, dv/dq.
• Experience working with Arbin, BioLogic, Maccor and other battery cyclers.
• Identify early predictors of future degradation and use them to streamline cell testing.
• Support the cathode development and production teams of a mechanistic understanding that dictates how our cells degrade.
• Execute a variety of experiments that allow for representative accelerated lifetime testing of our cell.
• Work with CAM Product development teams to understand how CAM properties affect cell durability.
• Experience with six-sigma methodology.
• Experience with design of experiments (DOE).

Desired Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or similar field.
• Knowledge of electrochemistry is required, specialized knowledge on lithium-ion or other battery technology is preferred. Work/research experience with advanced battery chemistries (secondary lithium metal) is a plus.
• Strong laboratory hands-on experience is required. Experience working on coin, pouch cells assembly, cathode/anode development, and battery cycling testing are preferred. Experience performing battery materials characterization via CT/SEM/XRD/RAMAN a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills are required. Must be able to convey complex technical information to individuals in engineering, business, legal and related industries.
• Ability to work within project teams with strong desire to contribute and collaborate.
• A passion for sustainability and making the world a better place!