#FaradayPathways Evangelos Kalamaras

From early years spent stargazing in a remote town in Greece to his current role shaping next-generation battery technologies at Agratas, Evangelos’ story is a testament to his resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to sustainability. His #FaradayPathway reflects the opportunities that being part of the Faraday Institution community can provide, not just through funding and training, but also in building a connected, supportive network.

Early career and education

Having grown up in a remote Greek town, Evangelos described his fascination with the night sky as being a primary motivator for his eventual career path.

“I was a bit of a romantic; every evening I’d look up and watch the stars. As I grew up, I noticed they were getting harder to see – more light and air pollution. That shift made me realise I wanted to do something with sustainability.”

Evangelos’ fascination with the stars led him to study physics at the University of Patras, before going on to complete his Master’s in energy and environment. After completing his MSc in Greece, Evangelos faced a difficult decision.

“Political instability during the financial crisis cast doubts on future research funding in Greece. I thought about leaving research and going into teaching. But I gave myself one more shot and moved to research in the UK. It was a risk – but one I’m glad I took.”

Evangelos completed his PhD at Heriot-Watt University focused on electrochemical systems, from electrochemical flow reactors to solar-powered fuel generation and energy storage technologies. A secondment as a research engineer in the Netherlands introduced him to real-world applications such as solar-powered & battery-backed DC homes.

Faraday Institution influence

As a PhD student at Heriot-Watt University, Evangelos’ attendance at one of the very first workshops as part of the Faraday Institution’s consultation process in 2018 was pivotal for his career. There, he was involved in early-stage discussions on emerging battery technology research developments. His attendance gave him the opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders across academia and explore how academic research could translate into real-world impact.

“It was clear this wasn’t just another academic initiative. The Faraday Institution brought together serious funding, serious institutions, and a clear mission.”

Following his PhD, Evangelos took a position as an R&D Engineer at Imperial College London, working in collaboration with RFC Power. The move was inspired by his desire to become part of the wider energy storage and Faraday Institution community.

“Joining an organisation that was well connected to the Faraday Institution felt like the right path, and that’s what led me to work on flow batteries at Imperial.”

Evangelos then joined WMG, University of Warwick as a Senior Research Fellow, working on the Faraday Institution’s SafeBatt project.

“While at WMG I also led sessions for WMG’s Faraday Battery School, giving PhD Researchers hands-on experience with different types of cells and explaining the effects of testing conditions on results and modelling.”

Evangelos spoke of the Faraday Institution as a vital community that has shaped his career.

“The sector is smaller than you think; whether you’re in academia, a startup, or a multinational, you meet the same people in different roles. The Faraday Institution has been the glue holding us all together.”

Moving to industry

Evangelos’ next step was to join Britishvolt, where he played a leadership role in battery validation and regulatory compliance. Despite turbulent times, Evangelos’ team kept pushing.

“We had very ambitious goals and limited resources. Even while publicity around Britishvolt was negative, our technology was working, and the team kept working hard and supporting each other.”

Evangelos supported his colleagues when the company went into administration in 2023, helping colleagues to rewrite their CVs and connecting them with his network. Within two months everyone on his immediate team had secured new roles.

“The way we helped each other during that time is something I’m proud of. It’s not just about the technology and research – it’s about the people who power it.”

Evangelos then took a role as a manager working as a Senior Battery Cell Application Designer for Jaguar Land Rover in 2023, before transitioning to Agratas as Battery Concepts Manager in 2024, where he now leads cell concept development and validation of next-generation battery cells.

“At Agratas, we’re building something with global backing and long-term vision, combining technical knowledge with a future-looking strategy.”

During his time at Agratas, Evangelos has remained an active contributor to the Faraday Institution community, serving on the Faraday Institution’s Training and Diversity Panel and participating in the Faraday Mini MBA, which helps equip PhD Researchers with the strategic insight and commercial awareness needed to navigate the global, industrial and policy dimensions of energy storage.

Reflections and aspirations

Among his many achievements, one project stands out for Evangelos: his contribution to the ACCEL project alongside Rolls-Royce and Electroflight during his time at WMG, which set records for the world’s fastest all-electric aircraft.

“Our materials and cell design selection helped power that plane. It was a real achievement!”

Looking back, Evangelos offers simple yet powerful advice for early career researchers.

“Don’t let stress take over. During my PhD, I spent too much time worrying about the future. Now, I’ve learned to stay calm under pressure. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to focus on what I’m doing now, not on what might go wrong.”

As for future hopes and aspirations, Evangelos is optimistic about the UK’s battery sector and is looking forward to seeing it harness new tools and technologies.

“AI is revolutionising innovation in the battery sector. With leaner, more agile teams empowered by intelligent systems and automation, we’re shifting from scale to smart execution. It’s no longer about sheer numbers – it’s about precision, speed, and sustainability. AI-driven tools are accelerating R&D, enhancing testing accuracy, and enabling scalable deployment of advanced battery technologies. This transformation is redefining how we design, develop, and deliver energy solutions for the future.”

For Evangelos, research in the battery sector remains as exciting as ever.

“Every day feels like a new adventure. It’s like opening a mystery box, only to realise it’s inside another mystery box… with a to-do list. There’s still so much left to discover, and we’re only just scratching the surface.”

Read more:

• Read more about Faraday Institution career development opportunities
• Read more about the WMG Battery School
• Read more about the ACCEL electroflight project
• Discover Evangelos’ research on  how lithium-ion batteries react to physical damage

#FaradayPathway written by Rebecca Dawes, Science Communications Intern, and published July 2025.