TAISAN has an immediate opening position for an Electrolyte Engineer, who is passionate about energy storage, to create innovative electrolyte materials and systems to enable safe, long cycle life operation of high energy density sodium metal batteries.
The Electrolyte Engineer is expected to further develop, evaluate, and optimise our polymer solid-state electrolyte and formulations meeting performance targets, as well as understanding interactions between electrolyte materials and other cell components during battery cycling and battery storage. The successful candidate is committed and dedicated, responsible, focused, detail-oriented, able to adjust in a fast-paced working environment, collaborate well with other staff members with a shared vision, and demonstrate excellent organizational communication skills.
The position will report to CTO and CEO and is based in United Kingdom (ideally, in/near London)
Responsibilities
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Further development of TAISAN's current polymer quasi-solid-state polymer electrolyte formulations compatible with Sodium Metal and Manganese-rich layered oxides cathode cell chemistries to achieve a long cycle life safely;
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Design electrolyte systems demonstrating improvements in safety performance, including dimensional stability during battery cycling and storage;
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Demonstrate the ability to use fundamental physical chemistry concepts and experimental techniques to provide promising electrolyte formulation strategies;
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Ability to independently plan, execute, manage and communicate progress on projects;
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Provide technical assessment on existing electrolyte systems, additives, sodium salts in high energy, high-capacity rechargeable sodium metal cells;
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Fully characterize coin and pouch cell performance using new materials and formulations utilizing electrochemical testing and analytical techniques to understand reaction mechanisms, failure modes, and potential benefits;
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Teardown analysis of sodium metal cells to increase understanding of failure modes and characterisation of cell components to investigate reaction mechanisms in particular chemistries;
Specific Skills/Abilities
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An ability to communicate new concepts and draw insight from discussions with coworkers;
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Expertise and hands-on experience in high purity chemicals and impacts on device performance and manufacturing;
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Knowledge of common sodium-ion electrolyte systems; including common sodium salt, solvents, and additives, and their role;
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Expertise in ether-based solvents;
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Demonstrable track record of learning new technologies quickly and using your skillset to have a tangible impact in a short time frame;
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Hands-on experience with gas sample analysis via at least GC with demonstrated interpretation proficiency;
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Ability to onboard and integrate existing in-house knowledge with new discoveries and challenges being tackled in developing electrolyte materials for high energy rechargeable sodium metal cells;
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Ability to identify and execute testing metrics to shorten the cycle of learning;
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Has used physical-chemical methods in generating strategies to tackle formulation problems;
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Has used methods in understanding physicochemical properties of electrolyte, including, but not limited to; density, viscosity, ionic conductivity, pH, melting point, acid-base titration;
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Hands-on experience in electrochemical techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic methods;
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A technical leader with the ability to positively influence peers and bring the team together;
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Track record of intellectual property creation;
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Experience in mixture DOE;
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Has worked with moisture sensitive materials in a glovebox or dry room.
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Nice to have: Proficiency in cell assembly, cell test, and data analysis.
Qualifications
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Doctorate in chemistry with 3+ years of post-PhD industrial or academic experience.
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3+ years of experience in formulation development, preferably with strong exposure to liquid electrolytes, polymer electrolytes, ionic liquids, and solid-state electrolytes
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Demonstrated passion to be in energy space.