About the Role
TaiSan is developing next-generation polymer electrolyte to enable Sodium Batteries 2.0 — higher energy density, safer, and scalable. We are looking to recruit a Polymer Scientist to lead the design, synthesis, and continuous improvement of our polymer electrolyte materials through thermal and UV polymerisation pathways, with direct impact on Gen 1–3 performance and manufacturability.
In this role, you will develop and optimize polymer electrolyte synthesis routes, verify performance and reproducibility, and work closely with the broader R&D team to translate polymer innovations into validated battery-relevant outcomes. You will take ownership of identifying limitations, proposing improvements, and ensuring the material system evolves toward scalable production.
Key Responsibilities
Polymer Electrolyte Synthesis & Development
- Perform thermal and UV polymerisation of electrolyte systems, including formulation preparation, reaction execution, and process optimization.
- Synthesize and iterate new polymer systems specifically for battery applications.
- Develop and refine precursor preparation routes, ensuring control of key reaction parameters and consistency.
- Maintain high-quality documentation of synthesis methods, batch history, and experimental outcomes.
Verification, Validation & Iteration
- Verify and validate polymerization outcomes (e.g., conversion, reproducibility, stability, and material consistency).
- Collaborate with analytical and electrochemical teams to ensure polymer material properties translate into cell-relevant improvements.
- Identify failure modes or performance bottlenecks and propose targeted chemistry/process changes.
- Ensure experiments are reproducible and suitable for scale-up decision-making.
Technical Problem-Solving & Roadmap Support
- Continuously brainstorm improvements to address key technical challenges (performance, stability, safety, manufacturability).
- Proactively identify additional challenges associated with electrolyte systems (e.g., interfacial compatibility, aging, degradation, moisture sensitivity, processing constraints).
- Work with scientists and engineers to align polymer electrolyte development with TaiSan’s broader Gen 1–3 roadmap.
- Contribute to invention disclosures and patent-supporting technical documentation as needed.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Deep expertise in thermal polymerisation, UV polymerisation, and other relevant polymerisation methods.
- Strong hands-on experience synthesizing new polymers for battery applications.
- Strong understanding of chemical reactions and mechanisms involved in precursor formation and polymer network creation.
- Ability to troubleshoot reaction pathways and predict/interpret chemical interactions between components in precursor mixtures.
- High attention to detail, strong experimental rigor, and reliable documentation habits.
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate in a fast-moving R&D environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with polymer electrolytes, gel electrolytes, or crosslinked polymer networks for electrochemical systems.
- Familiarity with degradation mechanisms, stability limits, and electrolyte–electrode interfacial challenges.
- Experience supporting scale-up or defining process parameters suitable for manufacturing.
- Prior work in early-stage R&D environments with high ownership and rapid iteration.
Who You Are
- You are an independent, rigorous scientist who takes full ownership of your analytical work from experimental design to final reporting.
- You are comfortable operating autonomously and building structure where it does not yet exist. You do not wait for detailed instructions. You identify gaps, define testing standards, and proactively improve analytical workflows.
- You think critically about reproducibility, scalability, and long-term product impact. You understand that data quality directly influences material decisions and manufacturing readiness.
- You are disciplined in documentation, precise in execution, and uncompromising in safety standards.
- You thrive in a fast-moving environment where your work directly shapes material development and commercialization strategy.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and equity compensation commensurate with experience.
- Inclusive and mission-driven work environment.20 days annual leave plus public holidays.
- Company pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential counselling and personal support services.
- Access to an online wellbeing tool for fast, confidential wellbeing guidance.
- Bright Exchange employee benefits platform providing discounts and exclusive offers across a wide range of products and services.
- Support with visa activities.