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Job Description

Battery Research Engineer/Scientist (Lithium Metal Anode focus)

Company and Job Overview

Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in the vibrant city of Charlotte, NC, is a global powerhouse in the production of lithium, bromine, and catalyst solutions. As a world leader in the lithium industry, our cutting-edge products play a pivotal role in the rapid growth of lithium batteries that power everything from life-saving pacemakers to electric vehicles. At Albemarle, our unique natural resource position, global derivatization capabilities, and technology leadership make us trailblazers in executing an aggressive growth strategy. We are looking for innovative and ambitious individuals to join us in our mission to develop the technologies and materials that will accelerate the electrification revolution.

We are committed to pushing the boundaries of battery technology to power a sustainable future. As we continue to expand our team, we are seeking a talented and innovative Battery Engineer to join our dynamic team at our technical center in Kings Mountain, NC to drive the development of lithium metal anode technologies for next-generation batteries.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will join a diverse and passionate team developing new lithium-based products and technologies for Albemarle and its customers. As a Battery Engineer at Albemarle, your responsibility will be to help develop new lithium-containing materials through electrode design, cell assembly, cell testing, and post-mortem analysis with a primary focus on Lithium Metal Anodes (LMA). The Battery Engineer will be a key contributor to our research and development efforts. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in battery R&D, with hands-on experience in cell design, fabrication, and testing of LMA. The successful candidate will have demonstrated firsthand knowledge and experience in the electrochemical characterization of battery materials and their interfaces. You will be expected to apply fundamental electrochemistry to develop new insight into materials performance in batteries, understand/control the evolution of critical interfaces, and help create next-generation battery materials with differentiated performance. The ability to collaborate and communicate across multiple groups and projects, internal and external to Albemarle, is required. The position requires hands-on work in a chemistry laboratory and in a dry room environment, and potentially guiding technicians and/or interns.

Primary Responsibilities

• Practice proper laboratory procedures in compliance with Corporate HS&E policy and maintain a safe lab environment.
• Assembly and testing of Li-ion and Li metal cells (coin, single- & multi-layer pouch) to correlate material properties to performance
• Document experiments, observations, and results clearly in both written and electronic formats.
• Proactively share data to meet timebound technical milestones.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate battery solutions into product designs.
• Lead and execute battery research and development projects to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Investigate and resolve complex battery-related issues, implementing effective solutions.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and safety standards related to batteries.
• Collect and analyze data and distill results for both technical and general audiences
• Evaluate and select materials, components, manufacturing processes, and, especially, cell designs to enhance battery performance and reliability.
• Analyze and troubleshoot battery-related issues and implement corrective actions.
• Design, propose, and conduct electrochemical experiments to generate new insight/understanding of LMAs in coin, single-layer, and multilayer pouch cells.
• Guide material and cell optimization by elucidating the contributions of in-cell electrochemical processes and interfaces to cell performance.
• Conduct post-mortem analysis and investigate potential cell failure mechanisms.
• Conduct routine maintenance of lab tools and troubleshoot battery team equipment
• Coordinate instrument installation and support R&D infrastructure improvements
• Mentor technicians and interns.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in electrochemistry, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or related scientific discipline
• Extensive experience in evaluating new materials in coin, and/or pouch cells
• Strong technical expertise in theoretical and applied electrochemistry with focus on Li-ion and Li-metal batteries
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and outcome-focused.
• Familiar with the operation of cell fabrication dry rooms and battery testing equipment

Desired Competencies

• 1-3 years of experience designing, assembling, testing various cell formats, and analyzing the data in a battery R&D facility.
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Able to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to present technical information effectively
• Understanding of statistical analysis and experimental design
• Strong data analysis skills
• Electrochemical modeling experience (equivalent circuit, pseudo-2D, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills and ability to simplify complexity.
• Experience in working with OEM's and customers would be beneficial.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to work in a chemical laboratory and dry room, which requires standing for 50% or more of the time.
• Must be able to physically operate lab testing equipment.
• Must be able to lift and carry at least 15-20 pounds.
• Occasional travel to customers or partners may be necessary.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.