R&D Summer Intern
Circularity Fuels
Redwood City, CA, USA
Posted on Feb 14, 2025
Location: Redwood City, California
Type: Internship
When: Summer 2025
Experience Level: Late-stage Undergraduate or Early-stage Graduate Student
About Circularity Fuels
Circularity Fuels is on a mission to replace fossil fuels with hydrocarbons made from carbon dioxide already in the air. We have a patented process to remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into industrially important chemicals and fuels. We are currently deploying our solution with our first customer, and we are focused on ensuring that our climate-saving technologies also solve meaningful business challenges. We are backed by the best deep technology fund and angels. Most importantly, we are a team of interdisciplinary experts passionately fighting for a fossil-free future–join us.
About The Role
We are seeking a talented intern from the disciplines of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related fields with an interest in catalytic materials, reaction engineering, and process control. This role is ideal for a creative and diligent student who has some hands-on experience taking projects from an idea through testing and iteration, which may include appropriate and relevant coursework in chemistry/physics/engineering laboratory settings. The successful candidate will play a key role in designing catalyst materials, implementing reactor controls, and optimizing reactor performance for our commercial pilot plant.
Key Responsibilities
Circularity Fuels provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Type: Internship
When: Summer 2025
Experience Level: Late-stage Undergraduate or Early-stage Graduate Student
About Circularity Fuels
Circularity Fuels is on a mission to replace fossil fuels with hydrocarbons made from carbon dioxide already in the air. We have a patented process to remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into industrially important chemicals and fuels. We are currently deploying our solution with our first customer, and we are focused on ensuring that our climate-saving technologies also solve meaningful business challenges. We are backed by the best deep technology fund and angels. Most importantly, we are a team of interdisciplinary experts passionately fighting for a fossil-free future–join us.
About The Role
We are seeking a talented intern from the disciplines of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related fields with an interest in catalytic materials, reaction engineering, and process control. This role is ideal for a creative and diligent student who has some hands-on experience taking projects from an idea through testing and iteration, which may include appropriate and relevant coursework in chemistry/physics/engineering laboratory settings. The successful candidate will play a key role in designing catalyst materials, implementing reactor controls, and optimizing reactor performance for our commercial pilot plant.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with design, development and testing of gas-phase reactors for carbon capture & conversion.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to synthesize active materials, engage with process control systems, and utilize analytical systems.
- Perform basic process modeling and compare with real-world testing to validate designs.
- Work within established protocols for safe reactor operation in industrial use settings.
- Generate documentation of processes (e.g. standard operating procedures) and specifications for operation.
- Strong candidate will have some experience in nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and catalyst kinetic data evaluation.
- Interns must be self motivated as part of a small team and be able to complete projects with little direct supervision but can expect guidance and training as needed.
- Candidate must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree (preferably at Junior/Senior level) or a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or a related physical science discipline.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25.
- Minimum 1 internship or 1 semester/2 quarters of research experience in catalysis, systems modeling, nanomaterials synthesis, carbon capture, or related field.
- Must demonstrate exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including proficiency in presentation and graphing software to deliver updates.
- Must possess or be willing to develop basic project management skills with a safety-first and team-oriented mindset.
- Knowledge of safety equipment, engineering controls, proper ethics, and attention to detail are required.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and process diagnostics skills.
- Desire to learn through rapid testing and iteration, accept constructive feedback, and develop their skills.
- Competitive salary
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- A collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Access to cutting-edge technology and resources.
- Ability to make an impact—we are literally pulling carbon dioxide out of the air
Circularity Fuels provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.