About the role
You will join an early-stage deep-tech startup developing next-generation silicon-anode technology for Li-ion batteries and help advance the technology toward larger-format cells, external validation, and industrial scale-up. The role focuses on cell balancing, physical cell fabrication, and electrochemical performance testing for high-energy applications, including robotics and eVTOLs/drones. You will combine full-cell engineering with practical electrochemistry to optimize both half-cell and full-cell designs and translate material-level performance into reliable cell-level results.
You will assemble half-cells using pre-formulated silicon anodes and design and execute electrochemical test protocols to evaluate capacity, efficiency, rate capability, cycle life, and degradation. You will also lead the integration of Si-anodes with commercial cathodes, including high-Ni NMC, into coin and pouch cells. This includes cell assembly, formation, cycling, performance characterization, and failure analysis. You will analyze cell behavior and degradation mechanisms, identify performance limitations, and provide technical feedback to guide further optimization of the silicon-anode technology and its integration into larger-format cells.
This position is in a startup environment. You should be comfortable with ambiguity, tight schedules, shifting priorities, rapid iteration, and taking ownership of technical decisions that directly affect the final product.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute electrochemical experiments for Li-ion half-cells and full-cells.
- Evaluate pre-formulated silicon anodes in half-cell configurations versus lithium metal in coin cells.
- Design and optimize full cells, including mass and charge balancing (N/P ratio, areal capacity, electrode loading), electrolyte quantity, and voltage windows.
- Integrate silicon anodes with commercial cathodes, including high-Ni NMC materials.
- Assemble, test, and characterize coin cells for performance evaluation and diagnostics.
- Develop and run formation, cycling, and electrochemical testing protocols (CV, EIS, DCIR, ICA/DVA, and coulombic efficiency analysis).
- Analyze electrochemical test data, identify degradation mechanisms, and troubleshoot performance bottlenecks.
- Maintain experimental documentation, measurement logs, and technical reports.
Main requirements
- MSc or PhD in Electrochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Energy Storage, Battery, Nanotechnology, or a related field.
- Practical experience assembling, testing, and troubleshooting coin cells.
- Solid practical knowledge of cell balancing and electrode capacity matching.
- Experience in battery cell degradation mechanisms and failure modes.
Other requirements
- Hands-on experience with Li-ion battery testing and characterization.
- Solid experience in Li-ion cell chemistry and SEI formation.
- Experience with electrochemical testing and performance evaluation.
- Experience with Li-ion full-cell development.
- Ability to analyze and interpret electrochemical test data.
- Fluent English
Nice to have, but not mandatory
- Prior experience with silicon or silicon-carbon anodes.
- Prior experience with Ni-rich NMC full cells.
- Practical experience with pouch cell assembly, cutting, stacking, tab welding, or pouch sealing.
- Advanced diagnostic capabilities, including EIS, ICA/DVA, and post-mortem cell analysis.
- Exposure to battery development within an industrial or startup environment.
Benefits
- Performance-based cash bonuses.
- Relocation support to Prague (tickets and moving)
