Research Associate, Battery Performance

Sila; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila is seeking a Research Associate on the Battery Performance team. The contractor will handle chemical inventory intake, perform physical testing of battery cells, and document results with precision.

The role emphasizes meticulous testing, organized records, and collaboration with engineers across multiple R&D projects. This 1-year contractor position requires following SOPs, maintaining data quality, and operating specialized testing equipment, including chromatography systems, in a

Qualifications

• BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field; associates with research training also considered.
• 1+ years in a lab environment, ideally battery research/testing.
• Able to follow complex SOPs and maintain high data quality.
• Experience with electronic documentation systems for tracking materials/tests.
• Exposure to chromatography equipment is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to pivot between tasks without data loss.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments on battery cell design components and analyze data with engineers.
• Perform battery cell testing per engineering specs to generate quality datasets.
• Conduct systematic teardowns in glovebox environments and document findings.
• Maintain records in centralized data systems including teardown observations and inventory.
• Support multiple R&D projects by executing tasks and meeting milestones.
• Operate and troubleshoot testing equipment and analytical instruments, incl. chromatography.
• Receive, inventory, label, store and track battery materials per safety rules.
• Maintain a safe, clean lab and ensure smooth handoffs across teams.

Skills

Detail-oriented

SOP compliance

Documentation discipline

Data quality

Collaborative

Education

BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related

Associate’s degree with relevant research training

Tools

Chromatography systems

Job description

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

Who You Are

Are you a detail-oriented professional who enjoys the technical precision required to validate and improve new energy technologies? As a Research Associate on the Battery Performance team, you will be a key part of our daily operations, handling the intake of specialized chemical inventory and performing the physical testing and test analysis of our battery cells. We are looking for a teammate who takes pride in technical execution and understands that great research depends on meticulous testing and highly organized documentation and tracking. You are a collaborative person who thrives in a shared workspace and is committed to the careful documentation that helps our team to quickly iterate through materials.

This contractor role is for 1 year with the possibility of extension based on employee performance.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Conduct experiments on specialized component integration for battery cell design, analyze experimental data, and work with engineers to optimize component selection and cell performance.
• Perform specialized battery cell testing, ensuring tests are initiated, monitored, and completed according to engineering specifications to generate high-quality performance datasets.
• Conduct systematic cell teardowns in inert environments (gloveboxes). Inspect internal cell components, document observations, and provide detailed findings to support failure analysis and root-cause investigations.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records in Sila's centralized data management systems, including experimental results, teardown observations, and chemical inventory.
• Support multiple high-impact R&D projects by executing laboratory tasks as directed by the engineering team, ensuring timely achievement of research milestones.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot team-specific testing equipment and analytical instrumentation, including chromatography systems.
• Receive, inventory, label, store, and track battery materials and specialized chemicals in accordance with safety regulations and environmental requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment through routine upkeep of shared workspaces, ensuring efficient operations and seamless handoffs across teams.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related scientific discipline. Candidates with an Associate’s degree and relevant research training will also be considered.
• 1+ years in a lab environment; experience in a battery research or testing laboratory is preferred.
• Ability to follow complex SOPs and engineer commands while maintaining high data quality.
• Experience with electronic documentation systems for tracking materials or test results.
• Exposure to or experience operating analytical equipment, specifically chromatography is a significant plus.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to pivot between tasks without losing data integrity.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Adhere to all safety protocols, including the use of a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses and safety shoes.
• Successfully pass a respirator fit test for use when required.
• Demonstrate manual dexterity for the handling of battery components and sensitive materials.
• Capacity to operate effectively within a glovebox environment for extended durations.
• Ability to move items up to 25 lbs with the assistance of carts or lift equipment.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods at a laboratory bench or computer workstation.

Regular Shift: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm

The starting base pay for this role is between $37.02/hr and $46.63/hr at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, and equity. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for overtime.

#LI-PL1 #LI-Onsite

Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Sila’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026