Battery Research Scientist Washington, District of Columbia

Precise Systems

Full-time - Mid Level

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Battery Research Scientist position at Excet, a Precise Systems Company, involves leading research and development activities in an advanced battery research group at a U.S. Navy laboratory. The role focuses on enhancing lithium-ion battery performance and safety through experimental research, data analysis, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Candidates are expected to have a strong background in materials science or engineering, with a commitment to translating research into practical applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and execute experimental research plans to support lithium-ion performance and safety programs.
• Fabricate experimental coin and pouch cells for electrochemical, spectroscopic, optical and materials characterization.
• Collect, organize, analyze materials and battery characterization data.
• Communicate data results at weekly progress report meetings.
• Write reports and articles for publication in academic literature.
• Prepare and provide presentations at scientific conferences and program reviews.
• Perform basic post-mortem analysis of electrochemical cells.
• Engage with R&D scientists and engineers to support battery research and development efforts.
• Possess familiarity with tools and methods for processing large sets of battery data.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Materials Science, Engineering, Chemistry or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial or academic settings related to lithium-ion batteries (materials, cell components, cells and cell assembly or battery management).
• Experience with galvanostatic battery cycling.
• Strong knowledge of electrochemical processes in batteries and understanding of state-of-the-art advancements published in journal literature.
• Demonstrated expertise and extensive hands-on experience in fabrication, characterization and evaluation of battery materials, electrodes and cells.
• Motivated to work independently and within a dynamic multi-disciplinary team of likeminded scientists and engineers in support of the U.S. Navy mission.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with thermal characterization of commercial battery cells including isothermal calorimetry and accelerating rate calorimetry.
• Expertise in in-operando characterization of experimental battery cells including optical, UV-vis, computed tomography and high energy, synchrotron-level characterization.