Battery Scientist

Watercycle Technologies; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

PerkBox Rewards - Discounts & cashback

2 Volunteer Days Annually

Aviva Health care medical insurance

Life assurance and Death in Service

Profit and performance related bonus

Employee Share Options scheme

Job summary

Watercycle Technologies Ltd in Manchester is seeking a cathode active material specialist to join our R&D team. You will work on converting waste batteries into new cathode materials, leveraging our expertise to advance circular economy initiatives.

Responsibilities include precursor and cathode synthesis, focusing on NMC811 and later LFP chemistries; wet-chemistry processing, thermal treatments, material characterization and collaboration with partners such as UKBIC, CPI and the University of

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience working with Li-ion battery cells, materials, or electrochemical systems.
• Significant experience developing cathode active materials for lithium-ion or next generation battery technologies.
• Experience leading or contributing to grant-funded research and innovation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead in the technical development of pCAM and CAM production from black mass.
• Lead the delivery of technical work packages in two Innovate UK-funded projects.
• Support in the commercial scale-up of Watercycle's battery recycling technology.
• Document experimental findings, prepare technical reports, and communicate results to internal stakeholders and project teams.
• Monitor industry developments, emerging technologies, and scientific literature to bring new ideas and innovation into the business.

Skills

Li-ion battery know-how

Electrochemistry

Cathode materials development

Grant-funded research

Materials science background

Education

PhD in Materials Science/ Chemistry/ Electrochemistry/ Chemical Engineering

Tools

SEM

XRD

ICP

IC

Job description

At Watercycle Technologies we design and build end-to-end mineral recovery and water treatment systems fit for a circular economy.

Our proprietary selective extraction, mineral enrichment and crystallisation technology enables key resources to be kept in circulation forever.

A spin out of the University of Manchester, we combine scientific innovation with commercial acumen. Our team of scientists, engineers and business leaders believe that access to resources for all, forever, makes for a fairer society.

• Employee Assistance Programme
• PerkBox Rewards - Discounts & cashback at leading retailers
• 2 Volunteer Days Annually
• Aviva Health care medical insurance
• Life assurance and Death in Service
• Profit and performance related bonus
• Employee Share Options scheme

Location

Manchester City Centre with Travel to Runcorn, Cheshire required on a regular basis

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

DOE

Role Overview

We are seeking a cathode active material specialist to join our R&D team in Manchester. In this role, you will work on the conversion of waste batteries into new cathode materials leveraging Watercycle's know-how.

You will be responsible for pre-cursor and cathode synthesis, focussing on NMC811 and later LFP chemistries. This will involve wet-chemistry processing, thermal treatments, material characterisation (SEM, XRD, ICP, IC) and supporting in electrochemical characterisation in conjunction with UKBIC, CPI and the University of Manchester via the Innovate UK-funded ReCAM and CAMCYCLE projects.

You will be required to deliver on the outcomes of these projects including validation of material performance at g, kg and later 100s, kg scale. Beyond these projects, the role involves supporting Watercycle in the scaling up of its battery recycling technology as it begins commercialisation.

The role also involves supporting a Watercycle-funded PhD project in cathode production from black mass at the University of Manchester. The PhD student is in their second of four years, and their main supervisor is Professor Sarah Haigh with you becoming co-supervisor.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead in the technical development of pCAM and CAM production from black mass.
• Lead the delivery of technical work packages in two innovate UK-funded projects.
• Support in the commercial scale-up of Watercycle's battery recycling technology.
• Document experimental findings, prepare technical reports, and communicate results to internal stakeholders and project teams.
• Monitor industry developments, emerging technologies, and scientific literature to bring new ideas and innovation into the business.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience working with Li-ion battery cells, materials, or electrochemical systems.
• Significant experience developing cathode active materials for lithium-ion or next generation battery technologies.
• Experience leading or contributing to grant-funded research and innovation projects.

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace and welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of background.