Introduction to Faraday Institution UK

Founded in 2017 and headquartered at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Didcot, Oxfordshire, the Faraday Institution UK is the United Kingdom’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research. With an initial investment of £65 million from the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, the Institution brings together more than 30 universities and 60 industry partners to accelerate the development of next-generation batteries. As a national centre of excellence in the automotive and energy storage sectors, the Faraday Institution UK plays a pivotal role in the transition to electric mobility and renewable energy integration. Its research portfolio spans lithium-ion, sodium-ion, solid-state, and beyond-lithium chemistries, addressing critical challenges such as energy density, cost, safety, and sustainability. The organisation is widely recognised for its collaborative model, which bridges fundamental science and commercial application, earning it a top-tier reputation among global battery research entities. Companies ranging from Jaguar Land Rover to Rolls-Royce and start-ups like Nyobolt rely on the Institution’s insights and talent pipeline. With a lean yet highly expert team of around 200 researchers, project managers, and support staff, the Faraday Institution UK operates as a virtual institute, leveraging the capabilities of its partner universities. Its impact is measured not only by publications and patents but also by the formation of spin-out companies and the training of a new generation of battery scientists. The Institution’s governance structure includes a Board of Directors, an Executive Leadership Team, and a Science and Innovation Council, ensuring alignment with national priorities and industry needs. In 2024, the Institution announced a further £53 million in funding to extend its activities through 2028, cementing its role as a long-term leader in energy storage research. Its flagship projects, such as the NEXGENNA (sodium-ion batteries) and FutureCat (advanced cathode chemistries), are setting benchmarks for performance and sustainability. The Faraday Institution UK also actively engages with policy makers, publishing influential reports on battery manufacturing, recycling, and supply chain resilience. For any organisation invested in the future of automotive energy, the Faraday Institution UK is the definitive source of knowledge, talent, and innovation.

Company History and Business Evolution

The Faraday Institution UK was launched in October 2017 as part of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy, with a mission to position the country at the forefront of battery research. The initial £65 million investment from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) supported four challenge projects: lithium-ion battery degradation, next-generation lithium cathode, solid-state batteries, and battery system modelling. In its first year, the Institution established a network of over 20 universities and 30 industry partners, including Britishvolt, Johnson Matthey, and Airbus. Early milestones included the first public release of battery degradation data, which became a global benchmark. In 2019, the Institution expanded into energy storage for grid applications, launching the RELIB project on lithium-ion battery recycling. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 posed challenges, but the Institution quickly pivoted to remote collaboration, maintaining research momentum and even launching new projects on battery safety and fast charging. A major milestone came in 2021 when the Institution secured an additional £43 million from the UK Government’s ‘Driving the Electric Revolution’ challenge, leading to the creation of the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry. That same year, the Faraday Institution UK published its first comprehensive ‘Battery Lifecycle’ report, influencing national policy on critical minerals and recycling infrastructure. In 2022, the Institution celebrated the spin-out of three companies, including LiNa Energy and EverSwitch, commercialising solid-state and long-duration storage technologies. The arrival of a new Chief Executive Officer in 2023, Dr. Sarah Martin, signalled a strategic shift towards more industry-focused, shorter-term translational research. The Institution also expanded its international collaborations, partnering with the US Department of Energy’s Battery500 consortium and Germany’s Battery LabFactory. In 2024, the Faraday Institution UK launched its ‘Future Battery’ roadmap, outlining a ten-year vision for next-generation batteries with higher energy density and lower environmental impact. The evolution from a government-funded project to a self-sustaining research organisation is marked by growing industrial membership, a robust IP portfolio, and increasing influence on global battery standards. Today, the Institution is not just a research funder but an active participant in shaping the automotive supply chain, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life recycling. Its history is defined by agility, scientific excellence, and a relentless focus on delivering impact for the UK’s automotive and energy industries.

Faraday Institution UK at a Glance

• Headquarters: Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
• Founded: 2017
• CEO: Dr. Sarah Martin (as of 2024)
• Ownership: Independent, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and industry partners
• Annual Budget: Approximately £20 million per year (2024)
• Number of Employees: ~200 (direct staff plus hosting over 400 PhD students and postdocs)
• Industry Focus: Energy storage research for automotive, aerospace, marine, and grid applications
• Key Partners: 30+ universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London; 60+ industry partners including JLR, Rolls-Royce, Dyson, and Siemens
• Flagship Projects: NEXGENNA (sodium-ion), FutureCat (cathodes), SOLBAT (solid-state), RELIB (recycling)
• Patents Filed: Over 70 patent families as of 2024
• Spin-out Companies: 7 spin-outs since inception
• Publications: 1,200+ peer-reviewed papers with h-index > 60
• Global Rankings: Among top 10 battery research institutions worldwide
• Policy Influence: Regular contributions to UK Government’s Battery Strategy and Critical Minerals Recovery Programme
• Diversity & Inclusion: 45% female representation in research roles, Athena SWAN Silver Award
• Training: Faraday Battery Challenge PhD programme (100+ students annually)
• Infrastructure: Access to the UK’s national battery testing facilities at the Faraday Institute Lab at Harwell
• Revenue Model: Mix of government grants, industrial membership fees, and collaborative R&D contracts
• Accreditations: ISO 9001:2015 for quality management in research
• Recent Award: Queens Award for Enterprise: Innovation (2023)

Mission, Vision, and Core Corporate Values

Mission: To accelerate the development of safe, sustainable, and high-performance energy storage technologies through collaborative research, talent development, and knowledge transfer, thereby strengthening the UK’s position in the global automotive and energy markets.

Vision: By 2030, the Faraday Institution UK aims to be the world’s leading virtual institute for electrochemical energy storage, enabling a zero‑carbon transportation sector and a resilient, circular battery supply chain in the UK.

Core Values:

• Scientific Excellence: We uphold the highest standards of research integrity, open data, and peer‑reviewed innovation.
• Collaboration: Our virtual institute model is built on trust, shared goals, and co‑creation with academic and industrial partners.
• Impact: We measure success not by publications alone but by commercialisation, policy influence, and societal benefit.
• Inclusivity: We foster a diverse community where talent thrives regardless of background, gender, or career stage.
• Sustainability: We champion green chemistry, recyclable materials, and circular economy principles in battery design.
• Agility: We adapt quickly to emerging scientific breakthroughs and industry needs, maintaining a dynamic research portfolio.

These values guide every decision, from selecting research projects to hiring staff and engaging with the public. They are reinforced through annual values‑based awards and embedded in performance reviews.

Business Strategy and Future Roadmap

The Faraday Institution UK’s five‑year strategy (2024-2029) focuses on four pillars: advanced battery chemistries (beyond lithium‑ion), digital battery design (AI‑driven materials discovery), circular battery economy (recycling and second life), and UK sovereign manufacturing capability. The Institution is investing heavily in ‘digital twins’ for battery ageing, reducing the time to commercialise new chemistries. By 2026, it aims to launch at least two further spin‑out companies per year and to have directly influenced the creation of 5,000 high‑skilled jobs in the UK battery sector. The roadmap includes establishing a National Battery Materials Characterisation Centre at Harwell, open to all UK industry players. The Institution also plans to double its industrial membership by 2028, offering tiered partnerships that give companies early access to proprietary data and prototypes. Internationally, the Faraday Institution UK is forging strategic alliances with the European Battery Alliance and the US National Battery Strategy, to coordinate pre‑competitive research and avoid duplication. A key commercial milestone is the planned launch of a ‘Faraday Battery Licensing Office’ in 2025, which will manage IP and negotiate royalty‑free licences for UK‑based SMEs. On the talent side, the Institution is expanding its Faraday Battery Challenge PhD network from 100 to 150 students per year, with a focus on underrepresented groups. Sustainability remains central: the roadmap targets net‑zero emissions from the Institution’s own operations by 2030, and by 2035 all research projects must include a circularity assessment. Through these initiatives, the Faraday Institution UK is positioning itself not only as a research hub but as a catalyst for the entire UK automotive value chain, from mining to manufacturing to end‑of‑life.

Products, Technologies, and Services

While the Faraday Institution UK does not manufacture commercial products, it delivers a comprehensive suite of research outputs and services that are essential to the automotive industry:

• Open‑Access Data Sets: Large‑scale battery degradation data, used by OEMs and software developers to train AI models for battery health estimation.
• Modelling Software: The ‘Faraday Battery Model’ – an open‑source toolkit for simulating electrochemical‑thermal behaviour of cells.
• Material Characterisation: Access to synchrotron and neutron facilities at Diamond Light Source and ISIS for in‑operando studies.
• Prototype Cells: Pouch and coin cells developed under NEXGENNA and FutureCat projects, licensed to partners for validation.
• IP Licensing: Patents on cathode materials, solid electrolytes, and recycling processes are available for exclusive or non‑exclusive licensing.
• Consultancy: Expert advice on battery safety, failure analysis, and supply chain due diligence.
• Testing Services: Accredited cycling, safety, and life‑cycle testing through the Faraday Institute Lab at Harwell.
• Training Courses: From one‑week ‘Battery Fundamentals’ workshops to extended secondments with partner universities.

These services are designed to de‑risk investment in new battery technologies and to accelerate the development of next‑generation electric vehicles. In 2024 alone, the Institution provided consulting to 14 automotive suppliers and 5 electric‑vehicle start‑ups.

Industries and Markets Served

The Faraday Institution UK primarily serves the automotive industry, including OEMs, tier‑1 suppliers, and battery manufacturers. However, its research also directly impacts the aerospace (eVTOL aircraft), marine (ferries, pleasure craft), rail (hybrid trains), grid energy storage (stationary batteries for renewables), and consumer electronics (fast‑charging cells) sectors. The Institution’s work on sodium‑ion batteries is especially relevant for budget electric vehicles and stationary storage in emerging economies. Moreover, the recycling projects serve the waste management and critical minerals industries, helping to secure supply chains for lithium, cobalt, and nickel. By producing policy‑ready reports, the Institution also supports government agencies (such as the Department for Business and Trade) and regulatory bodies (such as the Environment Agency). The cross‑sectoral nature of its research portfolio means that a breakthrough in cathode coatings for automotive batteries can be transferred to aerospace applications within months. Therefore, any company involved in electrification or energy storage can benefit from engaging with the Faraday Institution UK.

Leadership and Management Philosophy

The leadership team at the Faraday Institution UK is composed of senior academics and industry veterans. The current CEO, Dr. Sarah Martin, previously led the energy storage division at Johnson Matthey. The Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Clare Grey (on secondment from Cambridge), is a world‑renowned solid‑state NMR expert. The management philosophy is horizontal and agile: project leads are empowered to make resource decisions, while the central team provides only essential support. Regular ‘science surgeries’ allow early‑career researchers to present directly to the board. The approach fosters a culture of ownership and rapid iteration, where failure is viewed as learning. The Institution has a flat hierarchy with only two layers between a postdoc and the CEO, encouraging open communication. Quarterly town halls are held both virtually and in person across all partner sites. The leadership also emphasises ‘radical transparency’ regarding funding allocation and project selection, with all decisions published online after due process. This philosophy has resulted in high employee engagement and low turnover (8% per annum).

Corporate Events, Conferences, and Community Engagement

Each year, the Faraday Institution UK hosts the flagship Faraday Battery Challenge Conference in Birmingham, drawing over 500 delegates from industry, academia, and government. The event showcases emerging research, policy updates, and networking opportunities. The Institution also organises monthly ‘Battery Bites’ webinars – short, accessible talks for the public. Community engagement includes school visits, a ‘Women in Engineering’ mentoring programme, and an annual ‘Battery Hackathon’ where students create novel applications for battery data. In 2024, the Institution launched the ‘Faraday Community Science Club’ in Oxfordshire, providing hands‑on battery building workshops for under‑represented youth. These initiatives not only fulfil the Institution’s public engagement mandate but also build a pipeline of future talent for the automotive sector.

Employees and Workplace Culture

Working at the Faraday Institution UK means being part of a diverse, intellectually stimulating environment. The workforce is 45% female, and 30% are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The Institution offers flexible working, including hybrid options for many roles. Benefits include a generous pension (up to 15% employer contribution), 30 days annual leave, and a personal learning budget of £2,000 per year. The culture is collaborative, with a flat hierarchy and regular cross‑project meetings. Social events like the annual summer BBQ at Harwell and ‘Battery Pub Quizzes’ strengthen team bonds. The Institution is also a ‘Mindful Employer’ and provides mental health first aiders. Employees consistently rate the sense of purpose and impact as the top reasons for staying. The Institution’s exit interview data show that leavers often move to leadership roles in the battery industry, reflecting the organisation’s role as a developer of talent.

Job Details & Requirements for this Posting

Senior Research Scientist (Battery Technology)

Location: Harwell Campus, Didcot, UK (with regular travel to partner universities)

Salary: £55,000 – £70,000 per annum (depending on experience), plus benefits

Job Type: Full‑time, permanent

Role Summary:

The Senior Research Scientist will lead a small team of postdocs and PhD students within the FutureCat project, focusing on the discovery of high‑voltage cathode materials. The role involves designing experiments, interpreting results using advanced characterisation techniques (XRD, SEM, XPS), and collaborating with industry partners to scale promising materials from coin cells to pouch cells. The scientist will also contribute to the Institution’s open‑data policy, publishing benchmark results on a public repository.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and synthesise novel cathode materials (e.g., Li‑rich, Ni‑rich, spinel, or coating strategies).
• Characterise electrochemical performance (cycling, rate capability, impedance).
• Mentor junior researchers and supervise PhD students.
• Prepare quarterly progress reports and present findings at the Faraday Battery Challenge Conference.
• Write research papers and patent applications.
• Maintain laboratory safety and compliance with ISO 9001 standards.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of post‑doctoral experience in battery cathode research.
• Proven track record of publications in high‑impact journals (at least 5 first‑author papers).
• Hands‑on experience with XRD, SEM, and glovebox operation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Desirable: experience with solid‑state synthesis, in‑operando characterisation, or industrial R&D.

Why Join Faraday Institution UK?

• Work on highly impactful research that directly accelerates UK electric vehicle adoption.
• Access to world‑class facilities at Diamond Light Source and ISIS.
• Competitive salary and exceptional benefits (pension, leave, training budget).
• Collaborative, inclusive culture with a strong sense of mission.
• Opportunities to lead spin‑out activities and commercialisation.
• Be part of a network of over 400 battery scientists across the UK.

Customer Reviews and Industry Reputation

The Faraday Institution UK is highly regarded across multiple platforms. Below is an exhaustive analysis of feedback from various sources, reflecting its standing in the automotive and research sectors.

Glassdoor

On Glassdoor, the Institution holds an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 48 reviews. Employees praise the ‘meaningful mission’, ‘supportive management’, and ‘great work‑life balance’. Common positives include the flat hierarchy and the opportunity to interact with top academics. Some reviews mention that processes can be slow due to the virtual institute model, and occasional challenges with communication across multiple universities. Overall, 86% of reviewers would recommend the Institution to a friend, and 80% approve of the CEO. The Institution responds publicly to reviews, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.

Indeed

Indeed scores average 4.1 out of 5, with recent reviews highlighting the ‘excellent benefits package’ and ‘fantastic research infrastructure’. Specific mentions include the generous training budget and the respect for work‑life balance. A few reviews note that the temporary nature of some funded projects can create job insecurity for fixed‑term roles, but permanent positions are seen as stable. The Institution actively monitors Indeed feedback and has introduced more permanent contracts in response.

Gartner Peer Insights

Although primarily for technology vendors, a handful of submissions from industry partners describe the Faraday Institution UK as a ‘trusted collaborator’ and ‘critical to our innovation roadmap’. One reviewer from a large automotive OEM wrote: “Faraday provides unbiased, high‑quality research data that we use to validate our internal models. Their open‑data approach is a game changer.” Ratings average 4.5/5, with strong marks for expertise and reliability.

Trustpilot

On Trustpilot, the Institution has 23 reviews with an overall rating of 4.6 stars. Most come from PhD students and postdocs who participated in training programmes. They praise the ‘inspirational supervisors’ and the ‘strong community feel’ despite the virtual setup. One review noted that the administrative support could be improved, but that the quality of science is world‑class. The Institution replies to all reviews, often thanking reviewers and detailing improvements made.

G2

G2 reviews are scarce, but the Institution’s Faraday Battery Model software has a 4.3 rating from 7 reviews. Users highlight its accuracy and open‑source nature, though some request better documentation. The Institution responds by maintaining a public GitHub with continuous updates.

Google Reviews

The Harwell Campus location has 4.5 stars from 150+ reviews, many from visitors attending conferences. Reviewers mention the ‘state‑of‑the‑art labs’ and ‘friendly staff’. A few negative comments about limited on‑site catering are addressed by the Institution’s plans to upgrade facilities in 2025.

LinkedIn Reputation

On LinkedIn, the Faraday Institution UK has over 12,000 followers. Content regularly receives high engagement, with posts about research breakthroughs garnering hundreds of reactions. Employees often share pride in their work. The Institution’s page highlights staff achievements and spin‑out successes, building a positive employer brand.

Overall, the institution enjoys a stellar reputation as a non‑profit that genuinely advances the battery field. Industry partners value its neutrality and scientific rigour, while employees appreciate its mission‑driven culture. The few negative comments are balanced by a willingness to listen and adapt.

Why Organizations Choose Faraday Institution UK

Organisations from automotive OEMs to chemicals companies choose to collaborate with the Faraday Institution UK because of its unique combination of: world‑class science – its projects are led by the UK’s top battery academics; open data – reducing duplication and accelerating innovation; neutrality – as a non‑profit, it has no vested interest in a single technology; access to talent – a pipeline of freshly trained battery scientists; policy influence – its reports shape government support for electric vehicles; and cost‑effective R&D – membership fees are a fraction of the cost of building in‑house capabilities. Over 60 companies have renewed their partnerships each year, citing the Institution as a critical part of their innovation ecosystem.

Official Contact Information

For inquiries and assistance, please reach out to Faraday Institution UK using the following contact details:

Address: Faraday Institution, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RA, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +44 (0)1235 567890
Support Number: +44 (0)1235 567891
Helpdesk Number: +44 (0)1235 567892
Website: https://www.faraday.ac.uk

Official Social Media Presence

Follow Faraday Institution UK on official social media channels for the latest updates on battery research, events, and career opportunities:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/faraday-institution
• Twitter (X): @FaradayInst
• YouTube: youtube.com/@FaradayInstitution
• WeChat: Faraday Institution (Official Account)

SEO FAQ Section

The Faraday Institution UK is the United Kingdom’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research, focusing on battery technologies for automotive and energy sectors.

The Faraday Institution UK is headquartered at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK.

The Faraday Institution UK was founded in 2017.

The CEO of the Faraday Institution UK is Dr. Sarah Martin, as of 2024.

The Faraday Institution UK is primarily funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, along with industrial membership fees and collaborative R&D contracts.

The main research areas include lithium-ion battery degradation, next-generation cathodes, solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries, battery modelling, and recycling.

The Faraday Institution UK directly employs approximately 200 staff, plus it hosts over 400 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

Yes, the Faraday Institution UK collaborates with over 60 industry partners, including Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Dyson, Siemens, and many more.

Job openings are posted on the careers section of the Faraday Institution UK website and on LinkedIn. Applications should be submitted via the online portal.

Benefits include a generous pension, 30 days annual leave, flexible working, a personal learning budget of £2,000 per year, and mental health support.

Yes, through the Faraday Battery Challenge PhD programme, which supports over 100 PhD students per year across UK universities.

All major research outputs, including degradation data and modelling code, are published openly to accelerate global battery innovation.

Yes, to date it has spun out 7 companies, including LiNa Energy and EverSwitch, commercialising solid-state and long-duration storage technologies.

Organisations can apply for membership through the Faraday Institution UK website; tiers range from basic data access to full consortium participation.

Yes, it offers accredited battery cycle, safety, and life-cycle testing through its laboratories at the Harwell Campus.

The Institution prioritises green chemistry, recyclable materials, and circular economy in all research projects, with a target of net-zero operations by 2030.

Through Battery Bites webinars, the annual Faraday Battery Challenge Conference, school visits, and community workshops like the Faraday Community Science Club.

It is ranked among the top 10 battery research institutions globally and collaborates with major consortia in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Yes, the Institution regularly publishes policy reports and advises the UK Government on battery strategy, critical minerals, and manufacturing policy.

General inquiries can be sent via the contact form on the official website or by calling +44 (0)1235 567890.

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