Graduate Research Intern: Electrolyte Development

Who You Are

Sila is seeking a highly motivated and skilled graduate-level intern to join our Battery Performance team, focusing specifically on critical electrolyte Research & Development (R&D). This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the next generation of energy storage technology.

The successful candidate will apply their theoretical and practical knowledge of chemistry and electrochemistry to the development and rigorous testing of novel electrolyte formulations. This work is directly aimed at overcoming current limitations in lithium-ion batteries that utilize silicon anodes.

Responsibilities and Duties  

• Design and develop novel electrolyte solutions, executing experiments with various solvent mixtures, tailored salt concentrations, and specialized additive packages to achieve defined performance criteria.
• Conduct comprehensive cell characterization utilizing standard and advanced techniques, including cycling, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiostatic analysis.
• Lead efforts to optimize key battery performance indicators, with a specific emphasis on extending cycle and calendar life to ensure long-term stability.
• Develop advanced formulations with enhanced thermal stability and safety, ensuring high performance across extreme temperatures and aggressive fast-charging protocols.
• Maintain meticulous documentation, conduct rigorous data analysis, and ensure precise interpretation of all experimental results.
• Present key findings to the R&D team through comprehensive technical reports and formal presentations.
  

Knowledge and Skill Requirements 

• Currently pursuing a Master’s or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated theoretical and practical understanding of Li-ion battery components and degradation mechanisms. Research experience in non-aqueous electrolyte formulations, solvation chemistry, or interfacial phenomena (SEI/CEI) is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in interpreting complex electrochemical data, specifically from EIS and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV).
• Experience utilizing chromatography (e.g., GC-MS, Ion Chromatography) or spectroscopy (e.g., NMR, FTIR, Raman) for electrolyte analysis.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes experiments simultaneously.
• Ability to pivot efficiently between benchtop mixing and digital data analysis while maintaining a strict focus on safety protocols and data quality.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a daily basis
• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
• Move items up to 50 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
• Reach low shelves or items on the floor
• Enter spaces narrower than 3 feet
• Climb stairs or over containment walls
• Precise and repetitive handling of a range of material quantities
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

The starting base pay for this role is between $25/hr and $39/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.