PhD Battery Modeling Intern — Hybrid, Multiphysics

General Motors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

General Motors Battery Research & Development seeks a Fall Intern to advance first-principles, physics-based battery models that capture fundamental mechanisms governing battery behavior. You’ll study electrochemical performance, degradation, and improved cell design through Multiphysics modeling across scales.

You will work on coupled electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical models, translate outputs into design guidance, and contribute to multi-scale simulation frameworks while collaborating

Qualifications

• Ph.D. student (expected graduation by 2028) in Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Materials Science or closely related field with a focus on electrochemistry or battery modeling.
• Experience developing physics-based finite-element battery modeling and electrode microstructure simulation for battery applications.
• Strong foundation in electrochemistry, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena.
• Experience developing coupled Multiphysics models (electrochemical, thermal, mechanical) across scales.
• Strong C++ and Python proficiency for scientific computing, modeling, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated research track record including peer-reviewed publications and technical presentations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate physics-based methods to battery models across a range of chemistries, cell designs, and formats.
• Develop and implement finite-element methods to complex battery electrode microstructures and process x-ray tomographic understanding of electrode materials.
• Build coupled electrochemical and mechanical models to capture electrochemical and mechanical responses, mass transport, and heat generation in battery electrodes.
• Investigate degradation mechanisms through Multiphysics mechanistic modeling.
• Apply modeling to understand and predict performance, lifetime, and safety under real-world conditions.
• Translate model outputs into actionable guidance for cell design, materials selection, and system-level decisions.
• Integrate models into multi-scale and system-level simulation frameworks and develop toolkits.
• Lead and contribute to deep technical problem solving with rigorous analysis.
• Publish and present work through peer-reviewed journals and internal reviews.
• Contribute to intellectual property and patents in battery modeling and design.

Skills

C++

Python

Multiphysics

Finite-Element

Electrochemistry

Publications

Education

Ph.D. student (expected graduation by 2028) in Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Materials Science or related field

Tools

Open-source tools

High-Performance Computing

DFN/P2D modeling frameworks

Job description

General Motors Battery Research & Development seeks a Fall Intern to advance first-principles, physics-based battery models that capture fundamental mechanisms governing battery behavior. You’ll study electrochemical performance, degradation, and improved cell design through Multiphysics modeling across scales.

You will work on coupled electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical models, translate outputs into design guidance, and contribute to multi-scale simulation frameworks while collaborating