Senior Scientist

FC Renew, LLC, is an early-stage deep tech development company enabling the hydrogen transition and accelerating electrification of essential hardware and systems for defense and commercial use. Our core technology is a life-extension renewal process for proton exchange membrane hydrogen fuel cells for transportation applications that extends their lifetimes by 6x while creating a 5.3x reduction in total cost of ownership. Our research and development is currently supported and funded by the U.S. Army, U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and LaunchTN.

We are seeking a Senior Research Scientist to join our fast-paced team at our main research laboratory at the Spark Innovation Center of the University of Tennessee’s Cherokee Farms Campus (Knoxville, TN) with occasional laboratory work at various laboratories within Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, TN) which is about 15-30 minutes away.

The Senior Research Scientist will have a hybrid role involving laboratory work and management, overseeing and leading other laboratory researchers and technicians. This position reports directly to the CEO. Our research and development are currently supported and funded by the U.S. Army, U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and LaunchTN.

The ideal candidate will have an expert background in at least one of the following areas: electrochemistry, hydrogen fuel cell testing, hydrogen fuel cell catalyst synthesis and analysis, electroplating, colloidal systems, heterogenous electrocatalysts, and/or surface science and modification techniques.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

The Senior Research Scientist should expect to plan, lead, and execute laboratory efforts of relevant projects surrounding hydrogen fuel cells, electrolyzers, and reversible fuel cells. The Senior Research Scientist will work on research, design, prototyping, test, and characterization of cutting-edge hardware. The work will involve:

• Developing skills and overseeing the work of other laboratory technicians, researchers, and paid student interns
• Performing electrochemical diagnostics and end-of-life analysis to characterize polarization behavior, transport resistances, electrochemical surface area, and kinetic activities
• Operating analytical equipment such as Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
• Supporting and executing research and product development projects hydrogen fuel cells
• Developing and integrating new products, procedures and/or prototypes
• Implementing and managing tests to characterize components, processes and fuel cell performances and support troubleshooting efforts in test stands.
• Developing experimental procedures and documenting standard operating procedures
• Collecting, reducing, and analyzing data
• Documenting, archiving, and presenting findings
• Utilizing electrochemical diagnostics to conduct in-situ testing of fuel cell stacks
• Working with external industrial stakeholders to execute demonstration projects
• Attending regular team meetings internally and with the project partners
• Performing other duties and tasks as assigned

Education:

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related engineering or science with 6+ years in a laboratory and product development setting with emphasis on experimental work and product development
• M.S. in Electrochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related engineering or science with 4+ years in a laboratory and product development setting with emphasis on experimental work and product development
• PhD in Electrochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related engineering or science with 2+ years in a laboratory and product development setting with emphasis on experimental work and product development

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of fundamental engineering principles that relate to hydrogen fuel cells
• High level of versatility and interest to work with test equipment, including: fuel cell test stations, potentiostats, analytical instruments, and electrochemical diagnostics (cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, hydrogen pump)
• Fundamental knowledge of electrochemical processes related to hydrogen fuel cells, related mechanical and electrical systems, e.g. tube-bending and Swagelok fittings, wiring, and instrumentation
• Strong and proactive problem solving and troubleshooting abilities
• Ability to work both independently and in team contexts, comfort with a rapid development pace and ability to multitask
• Experience with programming Python, Lab View, Matlab, and/or similar
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Other Job Details:

• We offer flexible schedules. Given the nature of laboratory work and need to work with others in the laboratory, there will be very limited options for telework.
• Up to 5% domestic travel - Occasional travel may be needed for site visits with partners at the Army Research Laboratory (Adelphi, MD), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO), and Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL), commercial partners, or relevant conferences.
• Ability to lift components weighing up to 35 lbs. is required.

FC Renew, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.