Position: This Battery Scientist role sits at the intersection of experimental electrolyte science and computational chemistry. You will lead the development and optimization of electrolyte formulations for Coreshell's silicon-dominant anode cells, combining rigorous electrochemical characterization and accelerated aging studies with computational tools that help rationalize and prioritize additive and solvent candidates. The ideal candidate pairs deep hands-on electrolyte experience with the ability to leverage computational methods.
Core Responsibilities:
- Lead electrolyte formulation development for silicon-dominant anode cells, including solvent systems, salt selection, and additive screening to optimize SEI/CEI stability, ionic conductivity, and long-term cycle life.
- Design and execute data-driven cell parameter optimization using design-of-experiments to efficiently navigate large formulation spaces.
- Design and validate accelerated aging and stress-testing methods to rapidly assess electrolyte formulation candidates.
- Perform electrochemical characterization (EIS, CV, dQ/dV) and chemical analysis (NMR, GCMS, XPS, FTIR, Raman, SEM/TEM) to elucidate electrolyte-electrode interfacial behavior, correlating accelerated aging results with post-mortem findings to identify dominant degradation mechanisms.
- Perform auxiliary characterization (calorimetry, in-situ gas analysis, symmetric cells, three-electrode measurements) alongside standard methods to build a detailed mechanistic understanding of electrolyte-electrode interactions and degradation pathways.
- Conduct root-cause failure analysis, combining experimental post-mortem techniques with computational modeling of degradation mechanisms to develop predictive understanding of electrolyte-limited failure modes.
- Collaborate within the Cell Development team and cross-functionally with R&D, product, commercial, and manufacturing teams to ensure electrolyte formulations meet customer performance requirements and are scalable for production.
Required Experience:
- Demonstrated excellence in electrolyte R&D for lithium-ion batteries, with deep knowledge of SEI/CEI formation mechanisms, electrode-electrolyte interfacial chemistry, and degradation pathways.
- Strong background in electrochemistry and mechanistic organic chemistry, particularly as it relates to reductive decomposition, radical intermediates, and polymerization reactions at electrode surfaces.
- Hands-on experience with electrolyte formulation: solvent blending, lithium salt optimization, additive selection, and functional evaluation in multiple cell form factors.
- Experience with silicon-dominant anode systems strongly preferred; familiarity with the unique interfacial and volumetric challenges of Si anodes and electrolyte strategies to address them.
- Knowledge of chemical laboratory and manufacturing environment safety practices.
- Ability to excel in highly dynamic, early-stage environments; navigating ambiguity, making progress despite incomplete data, and balancing priorities to meet both immediate and longer-term goals.
- A high degree of professionalism, excellent communication, and presentation skills are essential. Must be comfortable bridging experimental and computational teams.
Location & Benefits: San Leandro, CA. Full-time. $100,000-150,000. Salary and equity options dependent on experience. Dental, vision, healthcare and 401(k) benefits are included. Applications will be screened as received.
