Scientist, Research Scientist, Materials Engineer

Our client needs a highly motivated and innovative Scientist to join
their New Product Development team.

The Scientist will drive the development of battery separator
technologies for lead-acid batteries, focusing on improving performance,
durability, and cost-effectiveness.

The Scientist will develop new formulations, optimize manufacturing
processes, and validate product performance from the lab to pilot-scale
production.

The Scientist focus area's Polyethylene (PE) separators, Absorbed Glass
Mat (AGM) materials, Silica-filled rubber separators, autoclaved
vulcanized rubber separators. Prefer Lead-acid systems Li-Ion a plus.

Responsibilities:

- Lead the design and synthesis of new, high-performance battery
separator materials (polyethylene, silica-filled materials, and AGM)
to meet emerging market needs.

- Optimize manufacturing processes including extrusion, pore
formation, and coating technologies to enhance separator
permeability, mechanical strength, and electrical resistance.

- Utilize Design of Experiments (DOE) to structure and execute
comprehensive testing protocols to evaluate separator-level
attributes (surface chemistry, wettability, pore structure) and
their impact on cell performance.

- Lead programs for incremental product and quality improvement using
tools; DOE, problem solving tools such as root cause analysis and
EVOP (evolutionary optimization)

- Collaborate with cell developers to integrate new separators into
prototype cells, conducting abusive, electrochemical, and life-cycle
tests to validate improvements. Evaluate separator performance
focusing on ER, acid displacement, dendrite suppression, and
oxidation stability.

- Utilize advanced analytical equipment (FIB-SEM, CT scanning, mercury
porosimetry) to analyze material microstructure and failure
mechanisms.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Manufacturing, Sales,
Quality) to transfer new products from the laboratory into
pilot-scale and commercial production.

- Write detailed technical reports, SOPs, and conference materials
(presentations, technical papers, etc.), and present research
findings to stakeholders.

- Awareness of the patent landscape, ensure programs are safe to run
to product fruition, where R&D lead to unique solutions, to file
patents where appropriate to protect MP innovation and IP.

- Lead by example to promote a zero-incident safety culture

- Ensure strict adherence to safety policies, procedures, and PPE
requirements

- Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and
increase efficiency

- Encourage team-driven ideas and implement practical, data-driven
solutions

- Promote respect, inclusion, and engagement In a collaborative
environment