Lab Chemist in London

Brightsmith are supporting an innovative clean energy technology company as they continue to grow their technical team. We are looking for a Chemist to help develop and optimise the chemistry behind a next-generation electrochemical energy storage technology.

This is a hands-on R&D role where you will take ownership of electrolyte development, chemical characterisation and performance optimisation, helping to translate laboratory discoveries into scalable, commercial products. Working within a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will play a key role in improving system performance, durability, manufacturability and long-term reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, prepare and optimise electrolyte formulations for laboratory testing, validation and scale-up.
• Investigate electrolyte stability, degradation, conductivity, viscosity, solubility and long-term performance under operating conditions.
• Develop and implement analytical methods to monitor electrolyte condition, contamination and ageing.
• Support compatibility testing across membranes, electrodes, seals and other critical system materials.
• Work closely with electrochemists, materials scientists and engineering teams to link chemical properties with overall system performance.
• Analyse experimental data and provide clear recommendations to support product development decisions.
• Support the transition from laboratory-scale formulation to larger-scale production and manufacturing.
• Contribute to supplier engagement, raw material specifications and quality control processes.
• Maintain high laboratory standards, documentation and safe working practices.

Experience Required

• Degree in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Approximately 3–5 years' experience in laboratory-based chemistry, product development or R&D.
• Strong understanding of solution chemistry, redox chemistry, analytical chemistry and chemical stability.
• Experience designing experiments, interpreting data and translating findings into practical engineering or product improvements.
• Experience working with chemical formulations and laboratory analytical techniques.
• Strong laboratory discipline, documentation skills and knowledge of chemical safety and COSHH.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced R&D environment.

Desirable Experience - Nice to have but not required

• Experience within flow batteries, electrochemical systems, batteries, fuel cells or other energy storage technologies.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques such as ICP, UV-Vis, spectroscopy, chromatography, titration, conductivity or viscosity analysis.
• Experience with electrolyte degradation studies, ageing analysis or contamination monitoring.
• Exposure to scale-up activities, supplier collaboration or quality control processes.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams to help deliver commercially viable products.