Location:Kings Mountain , NC – Lithium Site
Job Description
Company and Job Overview
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is a leading global producer of lithium, bromine and catalyst solutions. As one of the world’s largest lithium chemicals producers, our products enable today’s rapid growth in lithium-ion batteries that power everything from pacemakers, to cell phones, to electric vehicles. Our unique lithium natural resource position, global derivatization capabilities and technology leadership allow Albemarle to execute an aggressive growth strategy. Join us to help develop the technologies and materials that will accelerate the electrification revolution!
The “Lithium Metal Engineer/Scientist” position is a hands-on role within the fast-growing Lithium R&D team located in Kings Mountain, NC. The successful candidate will join a diverse and passionate team developing new lithium-based products and technologies for Albemarle and its customers.
The Lithium Metal Engineer/Scientist will play an essential role in the development of advanced lithium metal formats for current and future generations of high energy density batteries. The position requires innovative and hands-on independent laboratory work and collaboration across groups, internally and externally. Success in the position will open career growth opportunities within and outside the R&D team.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Practice proper laboratory procedures in compliance with Corporate HS&E policies and maintain a safe lab environment
- Develop new high performance lithium metal formats and new methods for purifying, shaping, and forming lithium metal
- Generate lithium foils and laminates for R&D and customers at the gram to kilogram scale
- Characterize physical properties of lithium in different forms
- Create a fundamental understanding of how composition affects mechanical properties and anode performance
- Collaborate with internal and external partners to demonstrate manufacturability and scalability of new formats or technologies
- Collaborate with a broad technical team and proactively share data to achieve optimal outcomes and meet timebound technical milestones
- Document experiments, observations, and results clearly in both written and electronic formats
- Communicate clearly and proactively in formal and informal settings
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. degree in metallurgy, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, or related scientific discipline
- At least 1 year of hands-on experience working with lithium metal
- Strong background in metal processing including melting, alloying, and various processes to shape metal products suitable for customer needs. Experience in rolling and casting is an advantage.
- Able to find innovative solutions to technical challenges
Desired Competencies
- Skilled in safely handling air-sensitive chemicals. Industrial experience is an advantage.
- Experience with glovebox operation and working inside a dry room
- Experience with surface metrology and characterization
- Good understanding of metallography techniques
- Conversant in the metallurgical literature
- Work cross-functionally in the organization to meet expected deliverables and manage stakeholders
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Excellent communication skills and able to distill complex concepts into clear messages for a wider audience in both formal and informal settings
- High attention to detail, accuracy, and precision
- Experience with roll-to-roll assembly or coating processes and/or equipment
- Demonstrated problem-solving and innovation skills
- Understanding of statistical analysis and experimental design
- Knowledge in electrochemistry or battery-related chemistry, particularly related to lithium metal anodes, is an advantage
Physical Demands
- Must be able to work in a chemical laboratory and a dry room environment, which requires standing for 50% or more of the time
- Must have dexterity to handle small, delicate components and lab equipment
- Must be able to physically operate lab-scale roll-to-roll equipment
- Must be able to lift and carry 30-35 pounds
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