Research Engineer- Battery Material Modeling

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

Contribute to a team highly engaged in all aspects of battery materials research from material synthesis, characterization, fabrication of coin and pouch cells, and testing for electrochemical performance. Contribute through battery chemistry and battery material modeling using atomic and molecular modeling, thermodynamics, and other chemical and physical models to predict viable material compositions, chemical mechanisms, material densities, ion diffusion rates, and other battery material properties.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in materials science, engineering, chemistry, or related fields
• 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

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate (PhD) in battery materials science, engineering, chemistry or related fields
• Experience with modeling, testing and characterizing Na-ion batteries is a plus
• A wide range of material analysis experience is also desirable. This may include teardown and post-mortem analysis of materials from pouch, cylindrical, and/or prismatic
• A track record of written and/or oral presentations of research findings to specialist or non-specialist audiences

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.
• Take data inputs from material and battery synthesis and characterization
• 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

Benefits

• 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
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior