R&D Intern

Key Responsibilities

• Design and evaluate silicon-based anode materials, composites, binders, conductive additives, and electrode formulations.
• Fabricate electrodes and coin, pouch, or other test cells for electrochemical evaluation.
• Perform battery testing, including formation, cycling, rate capability, fast-charge testing, impedance measurements, and diagnostics.
• Analyze capacity retention, coulombic efficiency, impedance growth, swelling, and other key performance metrics.
• Investigate silicon anode degradation mechanisms, including volume expansion, SEI evolution, particle fracture, lithium inventory loss, and electrode-level failure modes.
• Use materials characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, Raman, FTIR, BET, TGA, or related methods, as applicable.
• Develop clear, data-driven recommendations to guide silicon anode material and cell design.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and conclusions in technical reports and presentations.
• Work cross-functionally with materials, cell engineering, process development, and product teams.

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program at a leading university, national laboratory, or research institute with a strong focus on batteries, electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Research experience in lithium-ion batteries, preferably silicon-carbon or other advanced anode systems.
• Strong understanding of lithium-ion battery fundamentals, including electrode design, interfacial chemistry, SEI formation, transport limitations, and cell degradation.
• Hands-on experience with battery cell assembly and electrochemical testing.
• Ability to analyze complex experimental data and translate results into actionable technical insights.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with silicon anode materials, silicon-carbon composites, prelithiation, binder systems, electrolyte additives, or high-loading electrode design.
• Familiarity with advanced diagnostic methods such as EIS, GITT, dQ/dV analysis, post-mortem analysis, gas analysis, or mechanical swelling measurements.
• Experience using Python, MATLAB, JMP, Origin, or similar tools for data analysis.
• Publications, patents, or conference presentations related to lithium-ion batteries or advanced anode materials.
• Experience working in industry, a national laboratory, or a collaborative applied research environment.

What You Will Gain

• Hands-on experience developing next-generation silicon anode lithium-ion battery technology.
• Exposure to startup-style R&D, rapid experimentation, and practical cell development.
• Opportunity to work closely with experienced battery scientists and engineers.
• Experience translating academic research into commercially relevant battery technology.

Details

This is a paid internship that will be onsite at our Fremont, CA office, with an expected duration of 3-6 months. The hourly pay range is $40–$45, depending on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.