Senior Research Scientist - Electrochemistry of Battery Materials

Location

Sedgefield, County Durham | United Kingdom

Job description

About CPI

CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.

From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.

Why this role is important for CPI’s work

CPI has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Scientist with expertise in Electrochemistry (ideally of Battery Materials), to join the established and growing Nanomaterials &Composites team within the National Formulation Centre based at NETPark, Sedgefield.

The Nanomaterials and Composites team win and deliver a broad range of commercial and collaborative R&D projects in the areas of battery materials, nanomaterials, composites, coatings, inks, materials science and formulation science.

You will be responsible for providing technical expertise, capability and input contributing to the delivery of projects in the broad area of Battery Materials and Electrochemistry. You will act as a technical lead, leading small to large scale projects ranging from initial proof of concept projects lasting only a few days to multi-year projects/​programs. You will draw upon your technical skills and experience in electrochemistry (ideally of battery materials) to provide carefully thought through advice and expertise to a range of stakeholders across CPI. 

You will work closely with the Business Development and Bid writing teams to secure new public and privately funded projects utilising electrochemistry, primarily in the battery materials space. You will have the opportunity to work at the interface of academia and industry, with a large number of projects, partners, technologies and market sectors. This variety will give you the opportunity to work on fundamental science/R&D as well as product development and commercialisation.

Please see below for some exciting projects the team have recently worked on that are in the public domain. We also work on numerous private commercial projects with client organisations across the battery materials supply chain:

The CONSTELLATION project involves using AI to design improvements in novel current collectors and utilise robotic automation to optimise customised electrode coatings for partners including Addionics and WMG.

In the HISTORY project we are working with solid-state battery pioneer Ilika – alongside several other UK-based partners, including BMW Motorsport Ltd. – to integrate high silicon content electrodes into batteries suitable for EVs.

The Role

Key tasks in the Senior Research Scientist role will include (but are not limited to the below), please download the job description for full details available on the CPI careers page:

• To identify new technical developments and trends, translate these into building blocks for opportunities within the technology team, initiating the creation of (new) technological innovations/​applications.

• To utilise own expert knowledge to assist in translating technology team strategy into practice through the delivery of plans to achieve technology team objectives.

• To build, maintain and exploit a network of relevant external stakeholders, customers, partners, research organisations and authorities, to represent the technology team as a credible specialist / expert in networks, identifying opportunity for future projects and developments.

• To actively contribute to a culture of continuous capability development through coaching, mentoring and/​or developing colleagues within the technology team and organisation providing insights into areas of specialism. This may include coaching and developing (junior) colleagues (both technically and behaviourally) to help them reach their potential and acting as a mentor to colleagues across the organisation, providing an expert-level perspective.

• To keep self up to date with external developments in areas of specialism, and/​or legislative and SHE related changes, ensuring application of new best practice and/​or knowledge. 

• To work collaboratively with Business Development, Bid Proposal and technical colleagues to contribute to proposal / project development and direct customer engagement. Seek out and engage in business development opportunities where appropriate

• To formulate and present possible solution directions / solutions and issue advice upon request or at own initiative, beginning to / building an internal reputation as a reliable and credible source / authority.

• To set up, plan and execute experimental / pilot scale runs and analyse, interpret and report the results of these, translating obtained findings and knowledge. 

The person we are seeking

Successful candidates will be educated to HNC, Foundation Degree, Degree, master’s degree or PhD level (or equivalent) in a Scientific/​Engineering discipline, plus relevant / significant industrial experience at a senior level (please refer to job descriptions for further information) and;

• Will possess significant, technical expertise in Electrochemistry (ideally of Battery Materials) as well as a compelling evidence of complex, technical problem solving.
• Will exhibit professional mastery of principles and practices in Electrochemistry gained through career to date in area of specialism / expertise.
• Can demonstrate evidence of building knowledge sharing and network building practice across teams and organisations to achieve desired results.
• Actively demonstrates in-depth technical and theoretical knowledge in Electrochemistry and is viewed as a specialist / authority in this area by peers (and managers). Can participate at high level in more than one area.
• Can provide examples of actively building cross-team and business area collaboration to achieve desired results. 
• Actively participates in / is able to take responsibility for diverse or complex technical activities where it is necessary to use own initiative and judgement and appropriate to role level, implements innovative solutions in complex situations.

It is also desirable that candidates are an active member of a professional body, engaging with peers beyond CPI.

What does CPI offer you?

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking

Find out more about our culture and benefits.

Additional information

* Senior Scientist 1 (£35,000-£43,000), Senior Scientist 2 (£40,000-£48,000)

CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.

Job tags

Salary

£35k - £48k per annum