R&D Carbon Product Development Scientist

At Rain Carbon Inc., we're dedicated to assembling exceptional teams, nurturing talent, and fostering personal and professional growth. Join us in a safe, supportive environment where you can realize your full potential with the tools, guidance, and opportunities to thrive.

Our global offices facilitate seamless operations, complemented by state-of-the-art production facilities in Belgium, Canada, Germany, India, Poland, and the USA where we cultivate enduring partnerships and ensure market success through consistent quality and customized solutions. With an unwavering commitment to reliability and responsibility, we foster a culture of excellence across all levels of our organization.

Background

Rain Carbon Inc. (RAIN), a global leader in upcycling of industrial byproducts to high value carbon materials, has established a new RAIN Innovation Center for Energy Storage Materials in Hamilton, ON, Canada, marking another significant step in the company's commitment to advancing sustainable energy storage material solutions. The R&D center with ca. 30´000 sq.ft. of space consists of a demonstration facility, allowing pilot-scale processing of carbon and carbon precursor materials, and laboratories dedicated to the carbon material analysis with state-of-the-art analytical and electrochemical testing equipment.

This R&D center will facilitate the testing and application development of RAIN’s LIONCOAT® thermoplastic precursor products used for enhancing the electrochemical performance of battery anode materials. In addition, the facility will support the development and commercialization of new, innovative energy storage material solutions based on natural and synthetic graphite as well as silicon-carbon composites for lithium-ion batteries. The center will also house the product innovations for carbonaceous materials tailored to emerging energy storage technologies such as solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.

Purpose of the job:

We are looking for a skilled R&D Product Development Scientist who brings and grows a profound expertise in carbon science & technology to support the day-to-day R&D operations focusing on the design, development and optimization of advanced carbon materials derived from Green Petroleum Coke (GPC), Calcined Petroleum Coke (CPC),needle coke, biogenic and other sustainable carbon precursors for use in energy storage systems. The Product Development Scientist will develop and analyze new carbon solutions and bridge research and manufacturing, focusing on the carbon precursor selection, carbon structure engineering, and graphitization to deliver high-performance, scalable, and sustainable carbon-based Battery Anode Materials BAM in close collaboration with the application development and process development from lab-scale to pilot scale. In his role the scientist also supports the transfer of carbon product solutions nto industrially viable carbon products, supporting the company’s mission to advance next-generation energy storage technologies through materials science and process excellence.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Carbon Material Development
Develop and optimize carbon and graphite materials from Green Petroleum Coke (GPC), Calcined Petroleum Coke (CPC), and needle coke and other carbon precursor materials produced by sustainable processes for use in energy storage systems.
Conduct coke upgrading studies, including calcination, sulfur removal, and catalytic enhancement, to produce high-quality synthetic graphite.
Develop and evaluate BAM derived from coke-based carbons to improve energy density and electrochemical performance.
Support and perform R&D trials and technical feasibility studies for new feedstocks, additives, and processing technologies.

Process Design & Optimization
Design, control, and monitor processes to achieve the process parameters for the desired carbon crystallinity, purity, texture, particle size and shape, surface morphology, and structural integrity.
Implement and document process improvements, including operating parameters, control charts, and data-driven optimization methods.
Collaborate with process and application teams to scale laboratory processes to pilot production levels, ensuring reproducibility and cost efficiency.
Perform external trials at equipment manufacturers and external pilot labs.

Characterization & Testing
Perform advanced carbon material characterization using XRD, Raman, XPS, SEM/TEM, BET, PSA, etc.
Develop and integrate new analytical methods in the analytical laboratory process.
Collaborate with external laboratories for advanced analytical tasks.
Design and fabricate electrochemical test cells (coin cells, pouch cells) to validate performance under real-world operating conditions.

Safety & Environmental Responsibility
Ensure safety compliance and environmental sustainability in the handling, calcination, and graphitization of coke and other carbon precursors.
Ensure all planned activities meet internal safety protocols and external regulatory requirements.
Promote a safe and clean working environment through proper housekeeping, material handling, and PPE usage.
Conduct pre-use inspections and always maintain equipment safe, including forklift operation.

Documentation & Reporting
Collaborate with other company functions (operations, commercial, engineering) to ensure seamless product integration.
Prepare technical reports, process documentation, and propose product specifications for internal teams and industrial partners.
Contribute to IP protection actions like patent applications and technical articles, and technical conference presentations to showcase the company expertise and innovations in energy storage materials.

Team Collaboration & Training
Work as member of a multidisciplinary R&D team and share technical knowledge across functions.
Assist in training technicians in plant operation, safety practices, and basic maintenance.
Be an active link between lab-scale development, upscaling and industrialization.

Procurement & Inventory Support
Assist in identifying technical needs for spare parts, consumables, and new equipment.
Manage inventory of raw materials and tools.

Job requirements:

Education: Master’s degree (M.Tech./M.S.) in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Carbon Science & Technology with Ph.D. or equivalent experience

Experience: In-depth expertise in the science, production and technology of carbon and carbon precursors as well as their technical applications and raw materials and in the analytical characterization of graphite, carbon, and carbon raw materials. 

Hands-on experience in: Green and calcined petroleum coke, and needle coke processing such as calcination, graphitization, and purification, carbon microstructure control and analysis at laboratory or pilot scale, demonstrated experience in scaling up lab processes to pilot production levels.
Exposure to industrial partnerships or collaborative R&D projects in the carbon or energy sector preferred.

Skills: In-depth knowledge of Carbon processing and graphitization techniques for converting GPC, CPC, and needle coke into synthetic graphite and nanostructured carbons.
Coke upgrading (sulfur removal, densification, and catalytic enhancement).
Graphite battery anode material design and testing for electrochemical energy storage could be an advantage.
Proficiency in material characterization tools such as: XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, SEM/TEM, BET, TGA, ICP-MS, and electrochemical analyses.
Experience with process modeling and simulation tools for carbon and thermal processes.
Familiarity with software tools such as OriginPro, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Python, and data analysis packages .
Effective in cross-functional collaboration between R&D, process, and application teams.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
Excellent technical writing and presentation skills for reporting, and customer communication.
Demonstrated commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and process quality control.
Leadership skills for mentoring junior engineers, managing laboratory operations, and driving R&D initiatives and projects.
Project management skills
Good communication and collaboration skills.
Fluent professional command of oral and written English language, knowledge of Chinese and French language could be an advantage.

Rain Carbon Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment. Rain Carbon Inc. prohibits discrimination in all employment-based practices and all applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, or other protected status.