Senior Researcher, Advanced Battery Materials

Description

Senior Researcher, Advanced Battery Materials

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

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

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

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

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

See your research directly influence battery design, safety, and performance in GM EVs

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

The Role

As a Senior Researcher on the Advanced Battery Materials team, you will develop concepts for next-generation materials and chemistries, identify new project opportunities, and establish technical plans for advanced batteries for EV and grid-storage applications. In support of development projects, you will design and synthesize novel materials; conduct material-level characterization and analysis; support cell integration; perform failure and root-cause analyses; and drive further optimization. You will also prepare high-quality technical reports, external publications, and records of invention related to your research.

What You’ll Do

Battery design and evaluation: Design, integrate, and evaluate battery cells, including optimization of cell performance through formation protocols and testing procedures.

Materials and tools development: Develop novel materials, methodologies, and tools for advanced battery technologies, supported by evaluation, characterization, and data analysis.

Problem solving and analysis: Design and execute projects or experiments to address technical challenges, including failure-mode and root-cause analyses.

Innovation and project development: Initiate innovative concepts, identify research opportunities, and develop new project ideas while leading or supporting technical projects through individual contributions.

Communication and collaboration: Summarize research results in reports, journal publications, and conference presentations, and build connections with internal and external partners.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Ph.D. in Science or Engineering

Demonstrated experience in battery research and development

Experience developing battery component materials, such as active materials or electrolytes

In-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art energy storage technologies

Ability to generate innovative ideas and propose, plan, and execute research projects in core energy storage areas

Ability to design and conduct experiments for materials development and evaluation

Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams 

Effective communication skills with researchers, engineers, and technical stakeholders

Ability to manage multiple tasks while working with cross-functional teams

Ability to lead technical discussions within the team

Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Hands-on experience with chemical or materials characterization

What will give you a competitive edge (Preferred Qualifications)

More than 5 years of experience in battery development at the materials or cell level

More than 5 years of hands-on experience with larger-format battery cells, such as pouch or cylindrical cells

Knowledge of and hands-on experience with both Li-ion and Na-ion chemistries for battery applications

Background in material physical and mechanical research and development

Hands-on experience handling, characterizing, and integrating battery component materials

Experience with cell fabrication and testing 

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee)

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.

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