Battery Scientist - Electrolyte

 

Coreshell's metallurgical Silicon anode technology delivers high capacity, fast-charging, and superior safety. Our low-cost Silicon-dominant batteries have higher energy density, superior intrinsic thermal safety, and significantly lower cost/kWh compared to current LIBs. Coreshell's Si anode material is lower than the cost of graphite and utilizes the largest abundant critical mineral supply in the US and Europe. We strive to transform the global energy and transportation market by enabling cost effective and secure domestic battery supply. 

Position: This Battery Scientist role sits at the intersection of experimental electrolyte science and computational chemistry. You will lead the development and optimization of electrolyte formulations for Coreshell’s silicon-dominant anode cells, combining rigorous electrochemical characterization and accelerated aging studies with computational tools that help rationalize and prioritize additive and solvent candidates. The ideal candidate pairs deep hands-on electrolyte experience with the ability to leverage computational methods.

 

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead electrolyte formulation development for silicon-dominant anode cells, including solvent systems, salt selection, and additive screening to optimize SEI/CEI stability, ionic conductivity, and long-term cycle life.
• Design and execute data-driven cell parameter optimization using design-of-experiments to efficiently navigate large formulation spaces.
• Design and validate accelerated aging and stress-testing methods to rapidly assess electrolyte formulation candidates.
• Perform electrochemical characterization (EIS, CV, dQ/dV) and chemical analysis (NMR, GCMS, XPS, FTIR, Raman, SEM/TEM) to elucidate electrolyte-electrode interfacial behavior, correlating accelerated aging results with post-mortem findings to identify dominant degradation mechanisms.
• Perform auxiliary characterization (calorimetry, in-situ gas analysis, symmetric cells, three-electrode measurements) alongside standard methods to build a detailed mechanistic understanding of electrolyte-electrode interactions and degradation pathways.
• Conduct root-cause failure analysis, combining experimental post-mortem techniques with computational modeling of degradation mechanisms to develop predictive understanding of electrolyte-limited failure modes.
• Collaborate within the Cell Development team and cross-functionally with R&D, product, commercial, and manufacturing teams to ensure electrolyte formulations meet customer performance requirements and are scalable for production. 

 

Required Experience:

• Demonstrated excellence in electrolyte R&D for lithium-ion batteries, with deep knowledge of SEI/CEI formation mechanisms, electrode-electrolyte interfacial chemistry, and degradation pathways.
• Strong background in electrochemistry and mechanistic organic chemistry, particularly as it relates to reductive decomposition, radical intermediates, and polymerization reactions at electrode surfaces.
• Hands-on experience with electrolyte formulation: solvent blending, lithium salt optimization, additive selection, and functional evaluation in multiple cell form factors.
• Experience with silicon-dominant anode systems strongly preferred; familiarity with the unique interfacial and volumetric challenges of Si anodes and electrolyte strategies to address them.
• Knowledge of chemical laboratory and manufacturing environment safety practices.
• Ability to excel in highly dynamic, early-stage environments; navigating ambiguity, making progress despite incomplete data, and balancing priorities to meet both immediate and longer-term goals.
• A high degree of professionalism, excellent communication, and presentation skills are essential. Must be comfortable bridging experimental and computational teams.

 

Location & Benefits: San Leandro, CA. Full-time. $100,000-150,000. Salary and equity options dependent on experience. Dental, vision, healthcare and 401(k) benefits are included. Applications will be screened as received. 

Coreshell Technologies is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status under California law.  

 

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should notify the recruiting team.