Anode Developer

TaiSan; Cambridge; On-site; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity compensation

Inclusive work environment

20 days annual leave plus public holidays

Company pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Online wellbeing tool

Bright Exchange employee benefits platform

Support with visa activities

Job summary

A leading energy technology firm in Cambridge is looking for an Anode Developer to spearhead innovation in sodium battery systems. This role involves developing anodes from raw materials, optimizing parameters for electrode production, and meticulous documentation. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience in anode development and familiarity with sodium-ion systems. The company offers a competitive salary, equity compensation, and a supportive work environment, aimed at attracting innovative talent ready to advance their technologies.

Qualifications

• Develop anodes from powder preparation through slurry formulation.
• Strong understanding of degradation mechanisms in sodium metal systems.
• Experience with coating parameters and electrode production.

Responsibilities

• Lead anode innovation from raw powders through coated electrode sheets.
• Maintain structured documentation of electrode variations and performance.
• Collaborate closely with analytical teams to evaluate electrode formulations.

Skills

Hands-on experience developing anodes

Understanding of sodium-ion anode systems

Knowledge of degradation mechanisms

Experience optimizing slurry formulation

Familiarity with electrode coating systems

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Anode Developer – Sodium Battery Systems

About The Role

We are developing next-generation polymer electrolyte systems to enable safer, higher-energy sodium batteries. As we progress from material validation toward pilot-scale cell development, we are seeking an Anode Developer to lead anode innovation from raw powders through coated electrode sheets.

In this role, you will take ownership of anode development across hard carbon, hard carbon–tin systems, sodium metal, and anode‑less architectures. You will ensure that electrode design decisions translate into measurable improvements at the cell level and align with our Gen 1–3 technology roadmap.

Your work will directly influence performance targets, degradation understanding, and readiness for scale.

Key Responsibilities

Anode Electrode Development

Develop anodes from powder preparation through slurry formulation and coated electrode sheets.

Optimize key processing parameters including slurry chemistry, mixing conditions, coating, drying, calendaring, and adhesion.

Establish reproducible electrode manufacturing workflows and maintain batch-to-batch consistency.

Maintain structured documentation of electrode parameters, variations, and performance outcomes.

Roadmap Execution (Gen 1–3)

Execute clearly defined work packages aligned with multi‑generation development milestones.

Advance Performance Of

• Hard carbon and hard carbon–tin systems
• Sodium metal anodes
• Anode‑less architectures

Ensure rapid iteration cycles while maintaining alignment with performance targets and development timelines.

Degradation & Performance Optimization

Investigate degradation mechanisms across sodium metal, anode‑less, hard carbon, and alloying systems.

Optimize Electrode Parameters To Improve

• Cycling stability
• Fast‑charging capability
• Energy density
• Safety and reliability

Work closely with the cell team to ensure electrode design supports pouch cell validation and generation progression.

Analytical Collaboration & Screening Gates

Collaborate closely with the analytical team to evaluate electrode morphology, structure, and degradation pathways.

Define critical screening gates before electrodes move into cell assembly.

Interpret test data rigorously and draw evidence‑based conclusions.

Use analytical feedback loops to continuously refine electrode formulations and processing conditions.

Materials Scouting & Supplier Collaboration

Work with suppliers to evaluate new powders, binders, additives, and alternative formulations.

Provide technical input into material qualification and supplier selection.

Assess feasibility and trade‑offs of in‑house electrode production strategies.

Communication & Documentation

Communicate electrode variations, test outcomes, and technical conclusions clearly to cross‑functional teams.

Ensure strong alignment between electrode parameters, analytical outputs, and cell‑level performance.

Generate structured documentation to support internal decision‑making and intellectual property development.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience developing anodes and producing coated electrode sheets from powders.
• Strong understanding of sodium‑ion anode systems and/or metallic sodium behavior.
• Knowledge of degradation mechanisms in hard carbon, sodium metal, and anode‑less systems.
• Experience optimizing slurry formulation and electrode‑processing parameters.
• Familiarity with electrode coating systems and manufacturing fundamentals.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across analytical, electrolyte, and cell teams.
• High attention to detail and focus on reproducibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hard carbon–tin composites or alloying‑type anodes.
• Experience working with polymer or solid‑state electrolyte systems.
• Experience defining screening gates or quality‑control metrics for electrodes.
• Experience supporting pilot‑scale production or scale‑up.
• Comfortable operating in an early‑stage deep‑tech startup with high ownership.

Who You Are

You are a deeply hands‑on electrode developer who is comfortable owning the full process from powder selection to validated electrode sheets.

You are independent and execution‑driven. You do not wait for perfect instructions. You design experiments, iterate quickly, and take responsibility for delivering measurable improvements.

You think in systems, not isolated tests. You understand how slurry chemistry, coating parameters, and electrode architecture influence full‑cell behavior and long‑term scalability.

You are rigorous with reproducibility and disciplined in documentation. You track variables carefully and ensure process changes are intentional and controlled.

You are curious about degradation mechanisms and motivated to understand failure modes at a fundamental level.

You thrive in a fast‑paced environment where technical ownership is high and your work directly shapes the Gen 1–3 roadmap.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity compensation commensurate with experience.
• Inclusive and mission‑driven work environment. 20 days annual leave plus public holidays.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential counselling and personal support services.
• Access to an online wellbeing tool for fast, confidential wellbeing guidance.
• Bright Exchange employee benefits platform providing discounts and exclusive offers across a wide range of products and services.
• Support with visa activities.