Slurry & Coating Research Associate

Sila; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila seeks a Research Associate to advance high-energy Li-ion batteries through in-depth understanding of electrode components and slurry/coating processes.

You will execute slurry mixing, drawdown coating, and characterize slurries and coatings while collaborating with engineers to reveal structure–property relationships affecting electrochemical performance.

Qualifications

• 6+ months of full-time hands-on laboratory experience or equivalent.
• Experience with fabrication and characterization techniques such as slurry mixing, drawdown coating, rheometry is a plus.
• Proficient in using electronic documentation and data analysis tools to clearly communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Perform lab-scale experimental slurry mixing and drawdown coating.
• Characterize slurries (e.g., rheometry, particle size, density, stability) and coatings (e.g., mass loading and thickness uniformity, resistivity, adhesion, homogeneity, electron microscopy).
• Manage accurate records of work using an online sample management database.
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot characterization equipment.
• Document results and communicate to scientists and engineers.
• Work collaboratively with other technicians, engineers, and scientists to troubleshoot, correct, and prevent issues.
• Work safely – keep a clean and safe work environment. Correct unsafe behaviors and report incidents.

Skills

Lab experience

Slurry coating

Rheometry

Data analysis

Electronic documentation

Education

Bachelors in relevant field

Tools

Data analysis tools

Electronic documentation tools

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 excited about teamwork to help build the next generation of battery materials and technologies? Sila is seeking a Research Associate to help build high-energy Li-ion batteries through an in-depth understanding of interacting electrode components (e.g. active materials, binders, conductive additives).

As a Research Associate in the Slurry & Coating team, you will help execute experimental slurries & perform electrode coatings and characterize both slurries and coatings, generating data that provide deep insights into the processes. You are passionate about being hands-on in the laboratory and are excited about handling and maintaining research equipment. As part of a collaborative effort, you will closely work with several engineers to help elucidate the underlying structure-property relationships of electrode component materials and their impact on electrochemical performance. This position requires prior hands-on lab experience, preferably in the field of batteries.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Perform lab-scale experimental slurry mixing and drawdown coating
• Characterize slurries (e.g., rheometry, particle size, density, stability) and coatings (e.g., mass loading and thickness uniformity, resistivity, adhesion, homogeneity, electron microscopy)
• Manage accurate records of work using an online sample management database
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot characterization equipment
• Document results and communicate to scientists and engineers
• Work collaboratively with other technicians, engineers, and scientists to troubleshoot, correct, and prevent issues
• Work safely – keep a clean and safe work environment. Correct unsafe behaviors and report incidents. Understand and respect hazardous materials and processes

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Bachelors or equivalent analytical experience with a focus in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field
• 6+ months of full-time hands-on laboratory experience or equivalent. Experience with the following fabrication and characterization techniques is a plus: slurry mixing, drawdown coating, rheometry.
• Proficient in using electronic documentation and data analysis tools to clearly communicate findings

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and safety toe shoes
• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection when needed
• Use a glove box and/or fume hood to prepare samples
• Operate analytical equipment at a lab bench
• Move items up to 25 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts
• Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc. in a fixed location
• Repetitive use of hands – light to forceful handling of material

The starting base pay for this role is between $37/hr and $46/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.

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 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.