Research Engineer- Battery Material Modeling

About the role

In this position, you will contribute to a team engaged in various aspects of battery materials research, including material synthesis, characterization, fabrication of coin and pouch cells, and testing for electrochemical performance. You will also develop models based on target material properties, provide mechanistic insight into battery function and degradation processes, and collaborate with other team members to implement modeled insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop models based on target material properties including density, fast ionic diffusion, composition, phase stability, etc.
• Provide actionable mechanistic insight into function and degradation processes in battery cells, including phase evolution, interfacial layer formation and growth, and electrolyte additive function.
• Collaborate with other team members to implement the modeled insights and learnings in real battery materials and systems.
• Participate in joint projects with universities and national labs that leverage DFT/ML/AI/MD and other modeling methods.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in materials science, engineering, chemistry, or related fields with 3 years of experience in chemical and physical modeling of Li-ion battery materials, especially cathode, using DFT/ML/AI/MD.
• Laboratory experimental skills in synthesizing and/or processing battery materials, performing cell testing and advanced material characterization methods.
• Fundamental understanding of chemical processes and mechanisms within batteries from formation to end of life.

Qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD) in battery materials science, engineering, chemistry or related fields is preferred.
• Experience with modeling, testing and characterizing Na-ion batteries is a plus.
• A wide range of material analysis experience is also desirable, including teardown and post-mortem analysis of materials from pouch, cylindrical, and/or prismatic.

Skills

• Strong background in chemical and physical modeling of Li-ion battery materials, especially cathode, using DFT/ML/AI/MD.
• Excellent laboratory experimental skills in synthesizing and/or processing battery materials, performing cell testing and advanced material characterization methods.
• Ability to provide actionable mechanistic insight into battery function and degradation processes.
• Experience with modeling, testing and characterizing Na-ion batteries is a plus.
• Wide range of material analysis experience is desirable, including teardown and post-mortem analysis of materials from pouch, cylindrical, and/or prismatic.

Benefits

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage, flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care, and more. Other benefits include vehicle discount program, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more. Additionally, there is a generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and paid time off for individual and team community service. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR.

Pay

The position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $99,600-$166,600. Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Schedule

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.