Lead Analytical Scientist - Battery Materials

In this role, the successful candidate will work within the BDL (Battery Development Laboratory) and support the business during production campaigns through the use of advanced characterisation techniques. The position is a great opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their experience in materials characterisation within the UKs developing battery sector.

• Management of a team of laboratory technicians to support with sampling, measurement and verification of products against pre-determined COA requirements.
• Ensure produced materials conform to customer standards and requirements.
• Issue corrective actions to key stakeholders based on collected analytical data.
• Maintain, calibrate and operate characterisation equipment. Troubleshoot and resolve issues with characterisation equipment.
• Record and report experimental results generated through testing for both internal and external customers.
• Carry out fault analysis, determining suitable methods and approaches with equipment available.
• Be a go-to person for questions on laboratory capability and equipment capability.
• Engage and contribute toward continuous improvement measures.
• Maintain high safety standards and ensure compliance with the Company’s Health, Safety and Environment Management Systems, including writing of risk and COSHH assessments.

• Hands‑on experience and a strong understanding of techniques utilised in materials measurement and characterisation e.g. rheology/viscometry, microscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM‑EDX, XRD, DSC/TGA etc.
• Minimum 3 years previous experience working in an industrial or academic laboratory environment.
• Good knowledge or experience of battery chemistry, operation and design.

• A comprehensive understanding of health and safety protocols in a lab environment including conducting risk and COSHH assessments.
• Strong problem‑solving skills
• Strong knowledge in Microsoft tools (Excel, Visual Basic, Access, Word, Powerpoint)
• Candidates with demonstratable experience in any of the following are highly preferred: ICP‑OES/MS, mercury porosimetry, Raman, NMR and GC‑MS
• Knowledge and previous use of Labware LIMS system is desirable.
• Previous management experience would be beneficial