Senior Researcher, Physics-Based Battery Modeler

Job Description

Senior Researcher Physics-Based Battery Modeler

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the Research Administration Building at our Global Technical Center in Warren MI three times per week at minimum.

At General Motors our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen but to be felt. Were turning todays impossible into tomorrows standard - from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design intelligent software and next-generation safety and entertainment features.

Every day our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer smarter and more connected shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

Why GM Battery Research & Development

At GM your work wont sit on a shelf youll see it power real vehicles on the road. Youll move ideas from first principles validated models vehicle impact working at the intersection of fundamental physics advanced simulation and real-world EV systems. Our Research team offers the opportunity to:

• Work alongside leading experts in electrochemistry materials science and Multiphysics modeling

• Solve fundamental battery science problems across transport phenomena kinetics and degradation

• Leverage advanced experimental data high-fidelity instrumentation and high-performance computing

• Develop and apply state-of-the-art physics-based models grounded in first principles

• Be supported to publish and present original research in leading journals and conferences

• Collaborate with tier 1 research universities national labs suppliers and federally funded research programs

• See your models directly influence battery design safety and performance in GM EVs

• Grow within a deeply technical environment across expert and research leadership tracks

The Role

As a Senior Researcher you will develop and advance first-principles physics-based battery models that capture the underlying mechanisms governing battery behavior. Your work will focus on understanding and predicting electrochemical performance degradation and safety through rigorous Multiphysics modeling across scales.

What Youll Do

• Develop and validate ROM and full order physics-based battery models across a range of chemistries cell designs and formats

• Build coupled Multiphysics models capturing electrochemical kinetics mass transport heat generation and mechanical effects

• Investigate degradation mechanisms (e.g. SEI growth lithium plating particle fracture) through mechanistic modeling

• Apply modeling to understand and predict performance lifetime and safety behavior under real-world operating conditions

• Translate model outputs into actionable guidance for cell design materials selection and system-level decisions

• Integrate models into multi-scale and system-level simulation frameworks

• Lead and contribute to deep technical problem solving grounded in physical intuition and rigorous analysis

• Influence technical direction through scientifically grounded arguments and modeling insight

• Publish and present your work through peer-reviewed journals conferences and internal reviews

• Contribute to intellectual property and patents in battery modeling and design

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Ph.D. in Physics Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Materials Science or a closely related field with a focus on electrochemistry or battery modeling

• Deep expertise in physics-based battery modeling including electrochemical and transport processes

• Strong foundation in electrochemistry thermodynamics and transport phenomena

• Experience developing coupled Multiphysics models (electrochemical thermal mechanical) across scales

• Strong Python COMSOL and MatLab proficiency (required) for scientific computing modeling and data analysis

• Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills grounded in physical principles

• Demonstrated research track record including peer-reviewed publications and technical presentations

• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical findings to both specialized and cross-functional audiences

• Proven ability to influence technical direction through expertise and analysis

• Commitment to advancing the state of the art in battery science and modeling

What will give you a competitive edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with mechanistic degradation modeling and lifetime prediction

• Familiarity with continuum-scale modeling frameworks (e.g. P2D/DFN/MSMR-type models or similar)

• Experience integrating physics-based models into larger simulation environments or design workflows

• Deep knowledge of battery cell/material property databases

• Background leveraging high-performance computing for large-scale simulations

• Contributions to patents or externally recognized research collaborations

• Experimental experience with measurements of battery material/electrochemical properties

• SEM-based techniques used to characterize the crystallographic structure orientation and microstructure of particle microstructures

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day individually and collectively to drive meaningful change through our words our deeds and our culture. Every day we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one were looking out for your well-beingat work and at homeso you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex race color national origin citizenship status religion age disability pregnancy or maternity status sexual orientation gender identity status as a veteran or protected veteran or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required where applicable to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

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