Our client, an employer at the forefront of their industry, is seeking to recruit a dynamic individual for the role of Lead Anode Scientist. Using bespoke production and performance technology, our clients aim is to create a product that is not only sustainable lithium battery technology, cost effective and of superior quality, but that is also constantly evolving to continuously keep themselves relevant, from the perspective of both environmental impact and social responsibility.

This position will lead Research and Development, including testing of lithium metal anodes and related product development on a commercial scale, and will collaborate with management to help establish vision, direction, priorities and progress, targeting a low-cost and high-performance product.

The candidate is expected to take a key leadership role within the Company, and to be the scientific lead for external programs through technology transfer, helping recruit a team of scientist and technicians to support company goals. The role reports directly to the CTO.

Responsibilities:

• Lead research & development of anode material products, with a focus on lithium metal anodes
• Lead IP development & work with a patent agent to ensure that the Company is creating and protecting the best processes and technical strategies toward product development
• Participate in internal and external communication of scientific development and help educate internal team members on research & development needs
• Support management in interfacing with customer technical development teams, and incorporate feedback into product development program
• Build actionable understanding of lithium surface chemistry, structure and physiochemical properties through rational hypothesis-driven experimentation
• Develop new high performance lithium metal anodes, and the techniques to manufacture them and their interfaces
• Serve as a technology transfer lead to help commercial teams be successful in implementing best practices and products from R&D
• Help establish the processes and personnel required for world-leading technology development
• Set up relationships with commercial & research labs to ensure Li-Metal has the right tools, characterization techniques, and testing platforms to identify, refine, and develop lithium metal anodes for customers with differing product requirements
• Support program management for external collaborations

Requirements:

• Masters / PhD-level education and/or equivalent experience (minimum 5 years) in a relevant scientific field, with an emphasis on battery development or related fields.
• Past experience testing lithium ion batteries, experience with with both solid- and liquid-electrolyte cell designs, and lithium metal preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of the formation, composition, and properties of the SEI on lithium metal