Technical Intern (Slurry & Coating)

Who You Are

As a Technical Intern (Slurry & Coating) on the Battery Development team, you will be responsible for the development of novel electrode recipes that improve the performance of Sila’s proprietary active material, TitanSiliconTM, in prototype battery cells. You will work alongside a scientist formulating/coating electrode slurries, testing slurry properties and investigating fundamental property<>performance relationships of the slurry components (e.g. binder, conductive additive). You are someone who is excited about developing novel energy storage technologies and can work on complex projects within a fast-paced environment. You are a self-starter with a positive attitude that is comfortable with a degree of ambiguity. Bonus if familiarity with battery materials, polymers, and/or electrochemistry.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Work in a wet laboratory alongside a scientist developing and testing slurry recipes to fabricate anodes with improved electrochemical performance
• Investigate and test novel polymer binders/conductive additive materials to establish fundamental property<>performance relationships
• Execute Design of Experiments investigations of novel electrode recipes; perform statistical analysis & model battery performance.
• Analyze electrochemical data & build data reports to be shared with the broader organization/team

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Experience working with Li ion battery materials (e.g. graphite, polymer binders, electrolytes, conductive additives)
• Experience with wet laboratory work (e.g. chemical fume hoods, formulation)
• Experience with Google Suite (e.g. Slides, Docs, etc.) & statistical software (e.g. JMP, Minitab)
• BSc (or preferably PhD candidate) or equivalent research experience with a focus in chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer science, materials science, or a related field.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
• Use a glove box and/or fume hood to prepare samples
• Identify safety hazards and work cooperatively to implement improvements
• Ensure that data collection is rigorous
• 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
• 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

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The starting base pay for this role is between $25 and $45 at the time of posting. The actual base pay within these ranges depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for overtime and benefits.