Senior Research Scientist — Battery Materials

CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.

From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.

CPI has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Scientist to join its established and growing Nanomaterials and Composites team within the wider Formulation Technology team, based at our state of the art: National Formulation Centre in Sedgefield. 

Reporting to the Manager — Nanomaterials and Composites, the successful candidate will provide technical expertise and leadership in small and medium / medium to large-scale projects (appropriate to role level**), contributing to innovation and development activities across the technology team. As a recognised authority in battery materials or similar, you will deliver innovative solutions, mentor colleagues, and represent CPI externally with credibility and impact.

Some exciting projects the team have recently worked on are:

The HISTORY Project: delivering next-generation battery innovations to power the UK’s EV industry 

CatContiCryst: accelerating battery innovation for the UK’s EV industry

LiNa Energy: advancing the development of safer, more sustainable battery technology

The Person

Key tasks in the role will include (but are not limited to the below), please download the job description for full details available on the CPI careers page:

• Acting as technical lead on complex projects, providing expert advice and solutions.
• Identifying new technical developments and translating them into opportunities for innovation.
• Building and maintaining networks with external stakeholders, customers, and research organisations.
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing colleagues across the organisation.
• Planning and executing experimental/​pilot scale runs, analysing and reporting results.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant Safety, Health, Environmental (SHE) and quality standards.
• Contributing to business development opportunities and proposal/​project development.
• Documenting technical data, methodologies, and decisions in agreed formats.

Will be educated to HNC/​Foundation Degree level (or equivalent) in a Scientific/​Engineering discipline plus significant senior-level industrial experience; OR Degree/Master’s/PhD level with relevant industrial experience and;

• Possess significant technical expertise in Battery Materials (or similar transferable experience e.g. other energy materials, inorganic materials, electrochemistry), with evidence of complex problem-solving and innovative solutions.
• Be able to demonstrate mastery of principles and practices in battery materials and associated application testing.
• Have the ability to take responsibility for diverse technical activities, using initiative and judgement in complex situations.
• Can demonstrate evidence of building networks and knowledge-sharing practices across teams and organisations.
• Have strong leadership, communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills.

It would also be advantageous if the successful candidate had chartered status with a relevant professional institution and;

• Could demonstrate evidence of technical expertise in inorganic materials beyond battery materials/​energy materials/​electrochemistry
• Was an active member of a professional body, engaging with peers beyond CPI.

Why Join Us?

At CPI, you will be part of a collaborative and innovative environment where your expertise in battery materials will directly contribute to shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and energy storage. You’ll have the opportunity to influence strategy, mentor colleagues, and drive technological innovation at scale.

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking

Find out more about our culture and benefits.

*£37,000-£45,000 (Senior Scientist 1) / up to £51,200 (Senior Scientist 2)

**see job descriptions for further details

CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.