Senior Characterisation Scientist

Job Description

Organization: Agratas (a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons)

Location: Oxford, Milton Park, United Kingdom

Agratas is developing the next generation of sustainable lithium-ion battery technologies for mobility and energy storage applications. As part of the expansion of its Advanced Materials Characterisation Team, Agratas is seeking a Senior Characterisation Scientist to lead the development of advanced analytical methods focused on battery interfaces and in-situ/operando diagnostics.

This role is based at Agratas’ state-of-the-art Cell R&D facility in Oxfordshire and offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the advancement of next-generation battery technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advanced materials analysis across chemical, physical, electrical, and mechanical domains to improve lithium-ion cell materials and interfaces.
• Develop and deploy in-situ and operando analytical techniques including GC-MS, FTIR, Raman, and DEMS.
• Investigate electrode interphases, gassing behaviour, ageing mechanisms, and electrochemically driven material changes.
• Characterise electrolytes, electrode materials, and cycled or aged cell components.
• Commission and optimise new characterisation equipment, including method development and SOP creation.
• Monitor emerging analytical technologies and integrate new approaches into laboratory workflows.
• Oversee safe and efficient day-to-day operation of laboratory instrumentation.
• Provide technical training and mentorship within the R&D team.
• Collaborate with electrochemists, scientists, and engineers to support materials development and cell performance optimisation.
• Prepare technical reports and contribute to interdisciplinary research discussions.

Required Experience

• 2–3 years of experience in battery R&D or manufacturing, or 3–5 years in an applied academic research environment with strong industry collaboration.
• Hands-on experience with advanced characterisation techniques such as GC-MS, IC-MS, FTIR, Raman, or related spectroscopy methods.
• Strong understanding of lithium-ion battery materials, electrode/electrolyte interfaces, and electrochemical behaviour.
• Experience addressing practical materials challenges in lithium-ion cell development.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a multidisciplinary R&D environment.
• Strong experimental discipline and familiarity with LIMS/ELN data management systems.
• Leadership capability with experience mentoring colleagues or leading small teams.

Preferred Background

• Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Experience in an industrial battery materials laboratory.
• Background working with battery developers, OEMs, or advanced materials organisations.

About Agratas

Agratas, backed by Tata Sons, combines the agility of a fast-moving technology scale-up with the stability and resources of a global organisation. The company is focused on building high-performance lithium-ion batteries for mobility and energy storage while contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.