At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative polymer materials for next-gen battery technology.
- Company: Join SuperDielectrics, a pioneering company in breakthrough battery technology.
- Benefits: Gain world-class experience in energy storage with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and safety.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable energy solutions while working with cutting-edge materials.
- Qualifications: PhD or MSc in Polymer Science or related field; experience in polymer development preferred.
SuperDielectrics (SD) is pioneering a breakthrough battery technology designed for the high-power markets of the future, supporting the global shift to electrification. Our water-based batteries deliver market-leading performance through a novel polymer separator, combined with zinc halide electroactive species and carbon-based porous electrodes.
To accelerate commercialisation, SD operates a fully integrated product development model - from advanced materials through to cells, modules and packs - underpinned by in-house battery management systems.
Our technology is built around the polymer separator and, as the Polymer Application Scientist, you will lead the design, synthesis and characterisation of separator materials that underpin the performance of our next-generation battery products. Working from customer and application requirements, you will develop innovative polymer technologies that improve battery performance, reliability and lifetime across targeted markets. As the technical owner of separator materials and their application performance, you will translate polymer science into commercially viable products, ensuring new materials meet customer expectations while working in close partnership with the Development Scale-up Engineer, who leads the industrialisation and manufacturing scale-up of those technologies.
You will work within the Product team, collaborating closely across engineering, application testing and commercial functions to translate innovation into deliverable products.
This is a rare opportunity to join a high-growth, entrepreneurial business at a pivotal stage. While experience in battery technologies is advantageous, we actively welcome candidates from adjacent fields - bringing fresh perspectives to complex engineering challenges. In return, we offer a world-class environment to develop deep expertise in next-generation energy storage
Key responsibilities- Accountable for the design, synthesis and optimisation of current and next-generation polymer separator materials that deliver differentiated battery performance for customer applications.
- Accountable for translating customer, application and product requirements into scalable polymer chemistries suitable for commercial manufacture.
- Responsible for driving innovation in separator composition, structure and functionality to improve battery performance, reliability, durability and customer value.
- Responsible for developing and continuously improving polymer and separator characterisation methodologies that enable prediction of product performance, quality and long-term reliability.
- Work with electrochemists, materials scientists, application engineers and product teams to establish the relationships between polymer chemistry, separator structure, electrochemical behaviour and end-use battery performance.
- Investigate polymer degradation mechanisms during battery cycling to improve product lifetime, robustness and application-specific performance.
- Work closely with the Development Scale-up Engineer to ensure new separator materials can be successfully transferred into robust manufacturing processes, providing materials leadership while supporting process industrialisation.
- Support product development by defining critical material properties, application-relevant performance metrics and technical specifications for separator technologies throughout the product lifecycle.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure separator development aligns with customer requirements, product roadmaps, validation activities and future technology platforms.
- Interact closely with the Head of Product to align polymer innovation with customer needs, commercial priorities and the wider technology roadmap.
- Champion safety, effective training and adherence to SD safety rules and best practices.
You will have/be:
- PhD (preferred) or MSc in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science or a related discipline, or equivalent industrial experience.
- Demonstrated experience developing advanced polymeric materials such as membranes, hydrogels, biomaterials, functional coatings or related technologies.
- Proven expertise in polymer synthesis, formulation and characterisation.
- A strong understanding of how material properties influence product performance and customer applications.
- Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up or technology transfer would be advantageous.
- Practical experience of rheological analysis would be advantageous.
- Knowledge of battery materials, separator technologies or electrochemical systems would be advantageous.
- Commercial awareness, with an appreciation of product development, intellectual property strategy and customer requirements.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong technical writing skills for reports, patents, technical specifications and manufacturing documentation.
- An uncompromising approach to Health and Safety.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Polymer Application Scientist in Cambridge employer: SuperDielectrics
SuperDielectrics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the cutting-edge field of battery technology. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, including hands-on experience with next-generation products and cross-functional teamwork, all within a supportive environment located at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions.
