Research Scientist

Company Description

OnTo Technology is an industry pioneer developing low-carbon direct recycling and life-extension technologies for lithium-ion batteries.Based in Bend,Oregon,OnTo is leading a prime award under the U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E CIRCULAR program focused on direct battery rejuvenation,alongside ongoing R&D initiatives supported by the Department of Energy (DOE)and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Role Description

We are seeking a hands-on,curious Research Scientist (Ph.D.)to join our team on-site in Bend,Oregon. Working in close collaboration with our Principal Investigator / technical leadership,you will serve as the primary experimentalist driving laboratory testing,cell prototyping,and materials characterization for our battery rejuvenation and life-extension programs.

This position is tailored for a Ph.D.scientist or postdoc who thrives in the lab,enjoys building and cycling real cells,and wants direct exposure to high-visibility clean energy and defense projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Hands-On Cell Prototyping & Cycling:Lead routine cell manufacturing workflows—including slurry preparation,electrode doctor-blade coating,calendering,coin and pouch cell assembly,and testing on multichannel cyclers (formation,rate capability,cycle life,and EIS).
• Experimental Benchwork:Formulate and test chemical treatments,solvents,and relithiation reagents on aged materials under inert atmosphere (glovebox) and standard lab conditions.
• Operate On-Site Instrumentation:Perform day-to-day operation and primary analysis on internal instruments,including X-ray diffraction (XRD)for structural/phase screening and chromatography (GC/HPLC)for electrolyte breakdown monitoring.
• OSU Characterization Coordination:Serve as the hands-on liaison for external testing with Oregon State University (OSU)user facilities—prepare specimens,schedule test sessions,coordinate sample transfers,and compile data for techniques like SEM/EDS,ICP,and XPS.
• Data Synthesis & Lab Documentation:Maintain meticulous laboratory records,organize cycling and analytical datasets,and prepare summary slides and figures for internal review and federal milestone reporting (ARPA-E,DOE,DLA).
• Lab Safety & Upkeep:Support clean dry room and glovebox practices,ensure safe handling of hazardous chemicals and reactive battery materials,and help maintain routine lab consumables.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Ph.D.in Materials Science,Chemical Engineering,Chemistry,Electrochemistry,or a closely related field (recent graduates and postdocs welcome).
• Work Arrangement: 100% on-site in Bend,Oregon.
• Security & Eligibility: Due to federal program requirements with the Department of Energy and Defense Logistics Agency,candidates must be a U.S.Person (U.S.Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) and eligible to obtain a U.S.government security clearance in the future if required.
• Core Technical Experience:
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience building and cycling coin cells and/or pouch cells.
  • Practical familiarity with standard battery testing protocols (capacity retention,dQ/dV,impedance).
  • Direct experience operating benchtop analytical tools,with familiarity in powder XRD and/or chromatography.
  • Working knowledge of chemical handling,solvent systems,and glovebox operations.
• Mindset: Strong work ethic,attention to experimental detail,and a collaborative attitude toward working side-by-side with senior leadership in an agile laboratory setting.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with battery teardown/autopsy procedures and harvesting electrodes from cycled cells.
• Experience coordinating analytical workflows with external academic or shared user facilities.
• Prior exposure to federal research projects or milestone-driven timelines.

What We Offer

• Benefits: Medical,dental,and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement: Company sponsored Simplified Employee Pension (SEP).
• Paid Time Off: Paid vacation,sick leave,and company-recognized holidays.
• Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates moving to Central Oregon.
• Location: Based in Bend,Oregon—offering access to world-class trail networks,skiing,mountain biking, and rivers,paired with high-impact work on the clean energy transition.