Fall 2026 PhD Battery & Sustainability Intern - Physics-Based Battery Modeling

Description

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the Research Administration Building at our Global Technical Center in Warren, MI three times per week, at minimum.

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard - from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.

Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

Why GM Battery Research & Development?

At GM, your work won’t sit on a shelf – you’ll see it power real vehicles on the road. You’ll move ideas from first principles → validated models → vehicle impact, working at the intersection of fundamental physics, advanced simulation, and real-world EV systems. Our Research team offers the opportunity to:

Work alongside leading experts in electrochemistry, materials science, and Multiphysics modeling

Solve fundamental battery science problems across transport phenomena, kinetics, and degradation

Leverage advanced experimental data, high-fidelity instrumentation, and high-performance computing

Develop and apply state-of-the-art physics-based models grounded in first principles

Be supported to publish and present original research in leading journals and conferences

Collaborate with tier 1 research universities, national labs, suppliers, and federally funded research programs

Seeing your models directly influences battery design, safety, and performance in GM EVs

Grow within a deep technical environment across expert and research leadership tracks

The Role

As a Fall Intern, you will develop and advance first-principles, physics-based battery models that capture the underlying mechanisms governing battery behavior. Your work will focus on understanding and predicting electrochemical performance, degradation, and improved cell design through rigorous Multiphysics modeling across scales.

What You’ll Do

Develop and validate physics-based methods to battery models across a range of chemistries, cell designs, and formats

Develop and implement finite-element method to complex battery electrode microstructures and process x-ray tomographic understanding of electrode materials

Build coupled electrochemical and mechanical models to capture electrochemical and mechanical responses, mass transport, and heat generation in battery electrodes

Investigate degradation mechanisms (e.g., volume expansion, particle fracture) through Multiphysics mechanistic modeling

Apply modeling to understand and predict performance, lifetime, and safety behavior under real-world operating conditions

Translate model outputs into actionable guidance for cell design, materials selection, and system-level decisions

Integrate models into multi-scale and system-level simulation frameworks and develop simulation toolkits

Lead and contribute to deep technical problem solving, grounded in physical intuition and rigorous analysis

Influence technical direction through scientifically grounded arguments and modeling insight

Publish and present your work through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and internal reviews

Contribute to intellectual property and patents in battery modeling and design

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Ph.D. student (expected graduation by 2028) in Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Materials Science or a closely related field with a focus on electrochemistry or battery modeling

Experience developing physics-based finite-element battery modeling and electrode microstructure simulation for battery applications

Strong foundation in electrochemistry, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena

Experience developing coupled Multiphysics models (electrochemical, thermal, mechanical) across scales

Strong C++ and Python proficiency (both required) for scientific computing, modeling, and data analysis

Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills grounded in physical principles

Demonstrated research track record including peer-reviewed publications and technical presentations

Ability to clearly communicate complex technical findings to both specialized and cross-functional audiences

Proven ability to influence technical direction through expertise and analysis

Commitment to advancing the state of the art in battery science and modeling

What will give you a competitive edge (Preferred Qualifications)

Experience battery electrode microstructure modeling using finite-element methods

Experience with development of open-source tools for Multiphysics battery simulations

Familiarity with continuum-scale modeling frameworks (e.g., P2D/DFN models or similar, solid mechanics)

Experience integrating physics-based models into larger simulation environments or design workflows

Background leveraging high-performance computing for large-scale simulations

Contributions to externally recognized research collaborations

Good understanding of battery material/electrochemical properties

Knowledge of battery electrode tomography measurement techniques such as FIB-SEM and x-ray CT scan and process related microstructure data

Experience in AI and Data-driven predictive modeling for battery research

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Total Rewards | Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources. 

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws. 

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

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