About the role#
As a Fall 2026 PhD intern, you will develop first-principles, physics-based battery models. Your work will focus on understanding and predicting electrochemical performance, degradation, and cell design through Multiphysics modeling. You will work alongside experts in electrochemistry and materials science to move ideas from initial models to vehicle impact.
What you'll do#
- Develop and validate physics-based methods for battery models across various chemistries, cell designs, and formats.
- Build coupled electrochemical and mechanical models to capture responses, mass transport, and heat generation in electrodes.
- Investigate degradation mechanisms like particle fracture and volume expansion through mechanistic modeling.
- Translate model outputs into actionable guidance for cell design, materials selection, and system-level decisions.
- Contribute to intellectual property and patents in battery modeling and design.
What you'll need#
- Current Ph.D. student (expected graduation by 2028) in Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Materials Science, or a closely related field.
- Experience developing physics-based finite-element battery modeling and electrode microstructure simulation.
- Strong foundation in electrochemistry, thermodynamics, solid mechanics, and transport phenomena.
- Experience developing coupled Multiphysics models across scales.
- Strong proficiency in both C++ and Python for scientific computing, modeling, and data analysis.
Location & details#
- Location: Warren, Michigan, United States.
- Term: Fall 2026.
- Work modality: Hybrid (requires reporting to the Research Administration Building at the Global Technical Center at least three times per week).
- This is a paid, full-time internship position. Sponsorship is not provided.
About General Motors
General Motors is a public company based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry. The company employs over 106,000 people. Its work spans the design and production of cars, trucks, and transportation technology, including software, electrification, and AI.
How to get in at General Motors
Securing an internship at General Motors requires a proactive approach to the application timeline. Because early applicants are often reviewed before the volume of candidates becomes unmanageable, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published. This allows you to submit your materials among the first group of applicants. Reaching out to the right person can also change your outcome. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles, which lets you contact them directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. This direct connection often improves response rates compared to submitting an application into a general queue.
