Co-op / Internship - Chemical Engineering Research Assistant

Start date: Flexible, Jan 2025 ideal

Job Overview:

We are looking for chemical engineering or chemistry students interested in spring or year-long co-op opportunities. This role will report to the Senior Scientist & Lab Manager and work closely with other members of the Hyfé team.

We seek a passionate individual dedicated to addressing climate change, who recognizes capitalism's potential to drive meaningful and sustainable solutions. The ideal candidate embodies our core values—unity, courage, dependability, momentum, and joy—values that are essential to tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the technical team in planning and performing experiments, including buffer preparation and sterilization, extractions, filtration and precipitation.

• Perform defined operating procedures under direct supervision, including pilot plant experiments, analytical sample preparation, analytical instrument operation and data processing.

• Prepare biomass samples for testing, including milling, drying, and sorting.

• Assist senior team members with analysis of samples by HPLC, UV-Vis and LC-MS.

• Maintain a clean and organized laboratory space, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and proper chemical handling.

• Troubleshoot equipment issues and perform routine maintenance to ensure smooth lab operations.

• Maintain inventory of chemicals and supplies, and work with vendors as needed

• Record, compile and analyze experimental data and present findings to the R&D team.

• Assist with other areas of lab management as needed.

• Perform duties in keeping with Hyfé’s values, policies and EHS protocols.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in collegiate-level chemical engineering or chemistry courses that include a laboratory component.

• Can commit to a regular, full-time schedule (40 hours per week) during normal business hours.

• Innovative mindset with a can-do attitude and passion for Hyfé’s vision.

• Ability to navigate challenges independently, leveraging the team for feedback when appropriate.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.

• Authorization to work in the US.

About Hyfé:

Hyfé transforms plant waste into chemical alternatives to petroleum. As the world transitions to clean energy, our materials economy must evolve in parallel. Petrochemicals account for 7% of global emissions and drive over a third of global oil demand—yet the industry remains one of the most overlooked contributors to climate change.

Meanwhile, over four billion tons of plant biomass waste are generated globally each year—containing more than enough carbon to entirely replace petroleum-derived chemicals.

Hyfé tackles this challenge with a novel biorefining approach that converts low-value plant waste into high-value chemical intermediates. This enables the production of the same essential materials—without relying on petroleum. Our technology can double the output of critical chemicals, preserve strategic oil reserves, redirect billions into strengthening the food processing sector, and power domestic manufacturing that revitalizes rural communities.

Led by a leadership team with decades of experience in oil refining and industrial scale-up, Hyfé is uniquely positioned to commercialize the refining infrastructure of the future.

____________________________________________________________________________

Hyfé is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.