R&D Data Science Group Leader (m/w/d)
Verkor
Company Overview
Verkor
Grenoble, France
2020
Approximately 1,200 employees (source: verkor.com). No revenue figures available for 2023.
What They Do
Verkor is a private French battery manufacturer specializing in the production of low-carbon lithium-ion battery cells optimized for electric mobility and stationary storage. The company focuses on innovative technologies that ensure high power, high energy density, fast charging, as well as durability and robustness in extreme temperatures. These innovations are validated at their Verkor Innovation Centre (VIC) in Grenoble, which serves as a R&D lab and pilot line (source: verkor.com). Verkor produces flexible cells for various segments, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and stationary energy storage systems, with a particular emphasis on long-term efficiency for surplus renewable energy.
Projects and Background
Currently, Verkor's flagship project is the gigafactory in Bourbourg, near the port of Dunkirk, which has an initial capacity of 16 GWh per year, capable of producing batteries for approximately 300,000 vehicles. This site, inaugurated on December 11 and 12, 2025, is expected to reach a capacity of 50 GWh by 2030, with a total estimated cost between 2 and 3 billion euros (source: verkor.com). Although full production has not yet been achieved, the VIC in Grenoble has already begun producing cells and modules, transferring these initial products to the gigafactory for assembly. Key customers include Renault Group, with a contract for 12 GWh per year starting in 2025, and EDF, which has signed a 33 MW nuclear power allocation contract.
Recent Developments
Over the past two years, Verkor has secured Series C funding exceeding 2 billion euros for its gigafactory, as well as a green loan of 1.3 billion euros from 19 banks. The opening of the Bourbourg gigafactory marked a decisive milestone, with the first battery production scheduled for 2026. Additionally, a 12-year contract with EDF was signed on December 3, 2025, to provide low-carbon nuclear energy, further strengthening Verkor's position in the sustainable energy sector (source: verkor.com). These developments are part of a broader strategy aimed at establishing European sovereignty in battery production.
Working at Verkor
Verkor is recruiting experts in energy, automotive, mobility, as well as technicians and engineers specialized in battery design and manufacturing. Positions are primarily based in Grenoble and Bourbourg, with a projection of 1,200 direct jobs at full capacity, and up to 2,000 indirect jobs by 2030 (source: verkor.com). The company culture emphasizes commitment, communication, and teamwork, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment, surrounded by the mountains of Grenoble, which was designated the European Green Capital in 2022.
Last updated on Feb 23, 2026 | Report an issue
Job Description
The group leader oversees:
- A Data Science & Data Analysis team (Insights, modelling, experimentation)
- An R&D Prototyping Engineering team (Proof of concept software, technical validation)
This role focuses on innovation, feasibility, and validation, not long-term production ownership.
Main Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of data scientists, data analysts, and R&D/prototyping engineers
- Set technical direction, priorities and ways of working
- Foster collaboration between analytical and engineering profiles
- Foster collaboration with CAE team by giving them inputs to build reduced order models for process
- Ensure high standards of quality, rigor and documentation
- Strategy & Prioritization
- Define and manage the R&D and analytics roadmap aligned with business objectives
- Prioritize initiatives based on, business value, technical feasibility and time to impact
- Balance exploratory research with delivery of concrete outcomes
- Data Science & Analytics Oversight
- Data Exploration and Analysis
- Predictive & statistical modelling
- Ensure insights and models are actionable and decision-oriented.
- R&D Software Prototyping Oversight
- Oversee development of working prototypes that demonstrate feasibility and validate technical approaches
- Ensures prototypes are reproducible, well documented, and sharable with digital/IT teams
- Cross-Functional collaboration
- Act as a key interlocutor with business stakeholders, the product and process R&D team, and the digital/IT teams.
- Ensure smooth handover of validated concepts to production teams
Requirements
- Masters or PhD in Data Science/Applied mathematics/Statistics
- Minimum of 8 years of experience
- Prior experience in leading multidisciplinary technical teams
- Strong understanding of statistical and machine learning models
- Large-scale data analytics
- Familiarity with modern analytics and prototyping stacks
- Ability to assess technical feasibility and risks
- Ability to align diverse profiles towards shared goals
- Strong ability to translate complex findings into business insights
- Comfortable communicating with senior stakeholders
- Strategic mindset with a focus on impact
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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Job expired?Please let Verkor know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
Apply now
Job expired?Please let Verkor know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
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About the role
March 25, 2026
Full time
Company
- Grenoble, France
Minimum of 8 years
UTC+01:00
