Purpose of the Role
Senior Electrolyte Scientist
Location: Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK
Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Powering the Future of Battery Innovation
Agratas is a global battery business within the Tata Group, developing next-generation battery technologies that will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility and energy storage.
As we continue to grow our world-class R&D capability in Oxfordshire, we are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist with strong knowledge and expertise within Polymer or Liquid Electrolytes to play a key role in developing advanced electrolyte technologies for lithium-ion batteries. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team at the forefront of battery innovation and contribute to technologies that will shape the future of electrification.
The Opportunity
We are looking for an accomplished scientist with deep expertise in polymer electrolyte systems, electrochemistry and battery materials development. You will lead the design, development and validation of advanced polymer and or Liquid based electrolytes, working closely with external technology partners, suppliers and multidisciplinary R&D teams to improve battery performance, safety and manufacturability.
This role offers the chance to deliver impactful research while influencing the direction of next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies.
Key Responsibility Areas
Key Responsibilities
- Design, synthesise, validate and optimise polymer-based electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.
- Collaborate with technology partners and global suppliers to identify, evaluate and implement novel polymer electrolyte solutions.
- Develop innovative polymer structures, crosslinking strategies and ionic transport mechanisms to improve conductivity, electrochemical stability and electrode compatibility.
- Apply expert knowledge of battery materials chemistry, cell design, stack pressure considerations, component integration and failure mitigation strategies.
- Design and execute experimental programmes to evaluate electrolyte performance in coin cells and pouch cells.
- Conduct electrochemical testing, including Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and interpret complex performance data.
- Utilise advanced characterisation techniques including DSC, TGA, FTIR, NMR, GPC and rheology to understand material properties and behaviour.
- Investigate ionic transport mechanisms, interface characteristics, polymer morphology, mechanical properties and thermal stability.
- Drive improvements in critical cell-level KPIs including safety, power performance, cycling stability and reliability.
- Develop technical reports, publications, intellectual property submissions and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Support patent generation and IP strategy through patent reviews, prior-art assessments and freedom-to-operate analysis.
Job Context
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience & Skills
- Industrial experience within lithium-ion battery R&D, battery cell manufacturing or electric vehicle OEM environments.
- Expert knowledge of state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technologies, including:
- Materials chemistry
- Interface engineering
- Stack pressure requirements
- Failure modes and degradation mechanisms
- Performance optimisation strategies
- Deep understanding of materials science, electrochemistry and lithium-ion cell design.
- Strong expertise in electrolyte-electrode interface engineering.
- Hands-on experience developing and evaluating liquid and polymer electrolyte systems for lithium-ion batteries or related electrochemical devices.
- Proven capability in experimental design, execution and data-driven problem solving.
- Knowledge of intellectual property management, including patent filing, prior-art analysis and patent landscape reviews.
- Strong scientific communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Preferred Experience
- Experience developing polymer electrolyte technologies specifically for lithium-ion battery applications.
- Industrial experience gained with leading battery developers, battery manufacturers or advanced materials organisations.
- Track record of patents, technical publications or commercial technology development.
- Experience working across multidisciplinary research and product development teams.
Qualifications
- Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry or a related scientific discipline.
Why Join Agratas?
At Agratas, you'll be part of a mission-driven organisation developing technologies that will help power a cleaner, more sustainable future.
We offer:
- The opportunity to work on cutting-edge battery technologies with real-world impact.
- Collaboration with leading scientists, engineers and global technology partners.
- Access to world-class R&D facilities and resources.
- A dynamic, fast-growing environment where innovation is encouraged and valued.
- Competitive compensation and benefits.
- Outstanding opportunities for career growth and technical development.
Join Us
If you're passionate about advancing lithium-ion battery technology and have the expertise to develop next-generation polymer electrolytes, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of energy storage with Agratas.
