POST DOCTORAL ASSOCIATE - POUCH CELL ENGINEERING

Company Description

With increasing electrification needs, the global demand for batteries and smart energy storage systems is on the rise, driven primarily by three major sectors: EVs, stationary energy storage, lightweight structural batteries, and consumer electronics. This phenomenon goes together with increasing demand for sustainable, low-cost, and lightweight materials, as we are at the verge of depleting all our natural resources while tackling climate change. To gain access to inexpensive and sustainable lightweight materials that can in turn serve the excruciating demands for >6000 GWh energy demand by 2030, CarboMat has been working tirelessly over the past 5+ years to produce low-cost sustainable carbon products (i.e., carbon fibers and battery anodes) from low-value waste by-products for commercial adoption. Our innovative technologies require at least 30-50% less energy with a 35-60% lower production cost compared to incumbents. As we continue to grow, our goal is to contribute towards a net-zero future sooner before 2050 and help Canada be a leader in the global energy industry.  

CarboMat is looking for a Post-Doctoral Associate to support our pouch cell engineering activities in all the ongoing projects. The successful candidate will be a core member of a small but quickly growing talented group of engineers, researchers, and scientists. The candidate will report directly to the founders of the company. 

Duration: Full-Time, 2 years (Possibility of Extension)  

Starting Date: January 1, 2026  

Location: Calgary, AB  

Salary: $60,000-$75,000 annually, which is subject to statutory deductions (i.e., CPP, EI, Income Tax). 

Benefit: Comprehensive health and dental coverage

Role Description

• Design and fabricate single and multi-layer pouch cells for Li-ion and Na-ion battery applications followed by extensive electrochemical testing to evaluate battery performance (e.g., ICE, energy density, specific capacity, cycling stability, capacity retention, etc.) 
• Optimize pouch cell components including various cathodes, electrolytes, separators, etc. in addition to anode synthesis and designs 
• Assist electrode fabrication and cell engineering to assemble Li-ion and Na-ion battery coin cells for extensive testing to evaluate battery performance (e.g., ICE, energy density, specific capacity, cycling stability, capacity retention, etc.) 
• Synthesis of hard carbon and synthetic graphite from polyaromatic hydrocarbons for anode material 
• Optimize battery performance for stationary grid (SIB) and short-to-long range mobility (LIB) applications 
• Oversee installation processes of various high-end instruments, providing support and conducting demonstrations to ensure efficient operation post-installation 
• Collaborate with multiple project partners and strategic stakeholders (e.g., potential customers) for design and testing of various anode materials in different battery system verticals 
• Prepare milestone reports regularly with key findings for ongoing projects, outlining progress, challenges, and future objectives 
• Assist other researchers within the team in preparing scientific manuscripts for publications 
• Lead patent preparation activities to protect innovative technologies and developments ensuring compliance with intellectual property laws and regulations 
• Conduct regular experimental analysis, quantification, and validation of results including troubleshooting and optimizing experimental conditions 
• Foster laboratory and plant safety protocols and maintain best practices 
• Travel occasionally to partner sites for R&D testing, product demonstration, and scale-up implementation 

Skills and Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related disciplines
• 6 months to 3 years of experience designing single and/or multi-layer pouch cells for Na-ion and/or Li-ion batteries 
• 6 months to 3 years of experience in glovebox operations, slurry preparation, and running battery analyzers.  
• Advanced knowledge of electrochemistry fundamentals and material design to achieve faster charging and rate capabilities 
• Minimum 6 months experience in electrochemical conditions and functions of battery cell formulation equipment and process to scale-up coin cell performance to single or multi-layer and multi-stack pouch cell designs 
• 6 months to 3 years of advanced experience in anode and cathode synthesis, electrode fabrication, cell engineering, and extensive battery performance testing 
• Advanced laboratory skills with wet chemistry techniques and material characterization techniques (e.g., FTIR, XRD, CHNS, TGA, TG-MS, XPS, Raman, rheology, cross polarized microscopy, softening point measurement, etc.) following laboratory safety and hazard. 
• Excellent communication and organizational skills and ability to lead and collaborate with internal and external teams; ability to multi-task and have a strong focused mindset. 
• Outstanding technical writer (protocols, reports, investigations, etc.) 
• Willing to grow with the company and contribute towards technology development 
• The candidate needs to be a Canadian PR, Citizen, or have a valid work permit to work for this role 

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Position will remain open until the ideal candidate is found.