Purpose of the Role
Senior Scientist - Fundamental Research (Battery Materials)
Location: Oxford, UK
Function: Cell Technology - Fundamental Research
Help Shape the Future of Battery Technology
At Agratas, we are building a world-class battery business to power the transition to sustainable energy and mobility. As part of our growing Fundamental Research team, we are seeking a Senior Scientist to drive the development of next-generation battery materials and technologies.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced scientist with deep expertise in battery materials, electrochemistry, and advanced characterisation techniques to lead pioneering research that will influence future cell technologies. You will play a key role in advancing our understanding of material structure-property relationships and translating breakthrough science into scalable battery solutions.
The Opportunity
As a Senior Scientist within Fundamental Research, you will lead research programmes focused on the development, validation, and optimisation of advanced battery materials for lithium-ion and emerging battery technologies. Working within a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, you will develop a deep multi-scale understanding of material behaviour, enabling the design of higher-performing, safer, and more sustainable battery systems.
You will contribute to future technology roadmaps, collaborate with internal and external partners, and help bridge the gap between fundamental science and commercial battery applications.
Key Responsibility Areas
Key Responsibilities
Battery Materials Research & Development
- Lead research into advanced cathode and anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
- Develop innovative material compositions and synthesis routes to improve energy density, cycle life, safety, and sustainability.
- Establish advanced analytical methodologies to understand structure-property-performance relationships across multiple length scales.
Material Validation & Characterisation
- Design and execute electrochemical testing programmes to evaluate new materials and chemistries.
- Utilise advanced characterisation techniques including XRD, SEM, TEM, spectroscopy, and related methods to assess material properties and degradation mechanisms.
- Generate robust scientific evidence to validate material performance within battery cells.
Next-Generation Battery Technologies
- Explore and evaluate emerging battery chemistries and materials, including:
- High-nickel cathodes
- Cobalt-reduced and cobalt-free materials
- Solid-state battery materials
- Advanced anode technologies
- Future beyond lithium-ion concepts
Data Analysis & Scientific Insight
- Analyse complex experimental data sets to identify performance trends and scientific insights.
- Develop hypotheses and recommendations to optimise material design, synthesis processes, and cell performance.
- Apply scientific rigour and critical thinking to solve challenging materials-related problems.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with electrochemists, materials scientists, cell engineers, and modelling specialists to accelerate technology development.
- Work closely with supply chain and sourcing teams to evaluate raw material quality, availability, and sustainability considerations.
- Support the integration of material innovations into prototype cell designs and future battery platforms.
Documentation & Knowledge Sharing
- Maintain comprehensive records of research activities, methodologies, and results.
- Present technical findings to senior leadership and project stakeholders.
- Contribute to scientific publications, patents, technical reports, and technology reviews where appropriate.
Job Context
What You'll Bring
Essential Skills & Experience
- PhD or equivalent industrial research experience in Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Strong understanding of battery materials, particularly cathode and anode systems for lithium-ion batteries.
- Hands-on experience in materials synthesis, characterisation, and electrochemical testing.
- Expertise in techniques such as:
- XRD
- SEM/TEM
- EIS
- Galvanostatic cycling
- Spectroscopic and advanced materials analysis methods
- Ability to develop a deep understanding of structure-property relationships and degradation mechanisms.
- Proven track record of delivering innovative research outcomes in battery materials or adjacent energy storage technologies.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design capabilities.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
Desirable Experience
- Experience with high-nickel, cobalt-free, silicon-based, lithium metal, or solid-state battery materials.
- Knowledge of battery supply chains, raw material sourcing, and sustainability considerations.
- Experience working within industrial R&D environments and multidisciplinary research teams.
- Patent generation, scientific publication, or technology commercialisation experience.
Why Join Agratas?
- Work on breakthrough battery technologies that will shape the future of electrification.
- Collaborate with some of the brightest scientists and engineers in the battery industry.
- Access state-of-the-art research facilities and advanced analytical capabilities.
- Play a critical role in translating fundamental science into real-world battery innovation.
- Join a fast-growing organisation with ambitious plans to transform sustainable energy storage.
If you are passionate about battery materials innovation and excited by the challenge of developing next-generation technologies, we'd love to hear from you.
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