Flow battery expert - Research Scientist

Rivus Batteries; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Stock options

6 weeks vacation

Job summary

Rivus Batteries in Gothenburg, Sweden, is seeking a Flow Battery Expert to lead R&D on aqueous organic flow battery technology. You will design, run and interpret experiments, optimise electrolytes and guide development from lab to pilot scale.

The role demands a PhD and proven experience with flow batteries, electrochemistry and analytical methods. You will mentor colleagues, collaborate with partners, and help shape Rivus' technology roadmap.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field.
• Research and/or industrial experience in aqueous organic flow batteries.
• Strong background in electrochemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience designing, planning, and leading independent research projects.
• Experience developing and optimising flow battery electrolytes and/or flow battery systems.
• Experience with analytical and electrochemical techniques (UV-vis, LC-MS, NMR, EIS, CV).
• Strong skills in data analysis and using scientific programming tools (Python, MATLAB).
• Ability to present results clearly, challenge ideas, and lead technical decision-making.
• Ability to lead and deliver complex technical projects with partners and suppliers.
• Strong analytical skills and a collaborative, self-driven attitude.

Responsibilities

• Scientific leadership in the development of Rivus' aqueous organic flow battery technology.
• Leading projects focused on the optimisation of Rivus' organic flow battery electrolytes.
• Designing, leading, and analysing experimental campaigns to improve electrolyte lifetime, energy density, efficiency, and overall battery performance, and translating the findings into new development directions and practical improvements.
• Analysing, processing, and communicating experimental data, including automation through programming scripts and AI tools.
• Guiding the development of new laboratory methodologies and experimental infrastructure.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and providing guidance across multidisciplinary projects.
• Planning and coordination of external R&D collaborations, including interactions with academic partners, consultants, suppliers, and contract research organisations.
• Organisation and active engagement in the work of Rivus' lab.

Skills

Flow batteries

Electrochemistry

Organic chemistry

Data analysis

Python

MATLAB

Education

PhD in chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or closely related field

Tools

UV-vis

LC-MS

NMR

EIS

CV

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Join us on our mission to develop the world’s most sustainable battery chemistry. We’re a growing startup developing organic electrolytes for flow batteries, and we’re looking for a Flow Battery Expert to help us shape the future of our battery technology. This is a key role for someone who enjoys the intersection of chemistry, electrochemistry and engineering. We're seeking a experienced scientist with deep expertise in organic flow batteries. You’ll be joining a tight-knit team focused on progress and real-world deployment.

About Rivus

Rivus Batteries is a Swedish startup developing aqueous organic flow battery electrolytes to deliver stationary energy storage at lower cost and climate footprint than today’s battery systems. Our electrolytes are based on widely available elements – we believe this is crucial for sustainably covering the growing global demand for energy storage capacity.

Following years of academic research, we’re now in our fourth year of commercialisation – with R&D and scaling up at the heart of everything we do. We are currently working on optimising our electrolyte formulation, installing customer pilot installations and moving towards commercialization.

We are a mission-driven tech startup, committed to holistic care for the environment and corporate responsibility on all levels.

About the job

We are looking for a Flow Battery Expert to support us in the next phase as a Research Scientist: from lab and stack tests to commercial scale. As part of our R&D team, you will lead the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments aimed at advancing our aqueous organic flow battery technology. You will take ownership of electrolyte optimisation, using your deep know how to identify promising research directions, design rigorous experimental campaigns, analyse complex datasets, and translate findings into practical improvements in battery performance.

Working closely with our CEO, Head of R&D, and the technical team, you will play a key role in shaping our R&D strategy. Your scientific insight will be instrumental during technical discussions and weekly results meetings, where you will help define priorities, challenge assumptions, and guide decision-making. We are looking for someone who thrives in an independent research environment, takes initiative, and can lead projects from concept to conclusion with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively across disciplines.

About you

We’re looking for someone with an extensive background in the field of flow batteries.

Requirements

• PhD in chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field.
• Strict requirement: Research and/or industrial experience in aqueous organic flow batteries. Candidates with substantial experience in other flow battery technologies (e.g. vanadium, iron, zinc-based, or hybrid systems) may also be considered.
• Strong background in electrochemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience designing, planning, and leading independent research projects.
• Experience developing and optimising flow battery electrolytes and/or flow battery systems.
• Experience with analytical and electrochemical techniques (e.g. UV-vis, LC-MS, NMR, EIS, CV).
• Strong skills in data analysis and using scientific programming tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB, etc).
• Ability to present results clearly, challenge ideas, and lead technical decision-making.
• Ability to lead and deliver complex technical projects with partners and suppliers.
• Strong analytical skills and a collaborative, self-driven attitude.

Your role will involve

• Scientific leadership in the development of Rivus' aqueous organic flow battery technology.
• Leading projects focused on the optimisation of Rivus' organic flow battery electrolytes.
• Designing, leading, and analysing experimental campaigns to improve electrolyte lifetime, energy density, efficiency, and overall battery performance, and translating the findings into new development directions and practical improvements.
• Analysing, processing, and communicating experimental data, including automation through programming scripts and AI tools.
• Guiding the development of new laboratory methodologies and experimental infrastructure.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and providing guidance across multidisciplinary projects.
• Planning and coordination of external R&D collaborations, including interactions with academic partners, consultants, suppliers, and contract research organisations.
• Organisation and active engagement in the work of Rivus' lab.

What we offer

• Competitive salary with performance-based stock options with vesting
• 6 weeks paid vacation + 5 bridge days annually
• A high-impact role in a climate and energy resilience critical technology
• Daily collaboration with experienced chemists, engineers and entrepreneurs
• A warm and inclusive team culture grounded in purpose and pragmatism
• Hands-on experience in a fast-growing deep tech and chemistry startup

Location

Rivus is headquartered in its own ~300 m² office and laboratory in central Gothenburg, Sweden. Candidates are expected to be based in, or willing to relocate to, Gothenburg for the role.

Join us and help shape the future of green energy!