DEB Summer Biomanufacturing Intern
Mango Materials
Are you a member of the UC Davis Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology (DEB) program? Do you love working in a small team, where every day is different and there is always a problem to solve and more to learn? Then you are the right person for this job.
Mango Materials is a certified B Corp and women-led team that is producing and selling biobased, biodegradable materials from waste greenhouse gases – and we want you to be a part of it.
We are seeking a DEB Summer Biomanufacturing Intern to join our energetic, multidisciplinary team at a first-of-its-kind biomanufacturing facility. This position will report to the Director of Plant Operations. This is a full-time, on-site position. This position was made possible with the support of Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE).
Want to know more? Keep reading!
Background on the company and position:
Mango Materials is a certified B Corp and women-led team that is producing and selling biobased, biodegradable materials from waste greenhouse gases. Our team consists of passionate scientists, engineers, operators, and business leaders working to transform the future of our planet.
We put the safety and the well-being of our people above all other priorities. We love to track and measure. We use a software called Asana to monitor project progress, allocate tasks and communicate across different shifts and locations. We follow detailed standard operating procedures for all research testing, plant operations, and business operations. We keep detailed timecards. We have meticulous naming and version control policies for all electronic files. We record and thoroughly analyze all data and are in constant pursuit to find the best and most efficient way to get things done. We work hard and always seek to work smart.
In addition to working with novel technology to help combat climate change and create revolutionary, Earth-friendly materials, Mango Materials team members also enjoy working in an inclusive and collaborative company culture.
Our operation is hosted by our partner, a local wastewater treatment plant, and we have offices near our production site. Our operating equipment is located outside. We have structures to reduce exposure to sun and rain, but the majority of our work is conducted outside.
Mango is in growth mode. Scale-up of this type is a process with many unknowns and surprises, and this position will have the opportunity to help scale a first-of-its kind technology. We are looking for someone to join us on this adventure with an open mind and enthusiasm to get into details. A glass half-full, positive attitude is a must!
The mission of this position is to increase efficiency of downstream process operations. This position will be extremely hands-on, with a majority of time spent outdoors in the elements. Work may be required to start as early as 6:00 AM to match operations schedules; however, flexibility is necessary. While this position will work with others, candidates must be able to work independently and to create content from scratch.
The DEB Summer Biomanufacturing intern will be expected to perform duties such as:
- Learn and perform bioprocessing operations, both in fermentation and downstream processing.
- Spearhead optimization of analytical assays for in-field use.
- Complete a process mass balance, including collecting and analyzing samples, mining past data, and preparing a detailed report.
- Create a poster for Picnic Day 2026.
- Perform downstream processing optimization experiments from start to finish at the Launch Facility, collecting and analyzing data and preparing a report/presentation.
Our ideal candidate is/has:
- Previous experience working in a team setting as well as ability to work independently
- Creative problem solver
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and stand for 8 hours
- Safety conscious
- Respectful
- Highly attentive to detail
- An overall positive outlook
- Ability to organize
- Excellent written communication skills
- Data analysis skills
- Experience using Microsoft Excel and Word
- Collaborative
- An outside-of-the box thinker
- Comfortable with a fast-paced work environment and the uncertainty inherent in a start-up company
- Self-starter, lots of initiative
Want to join us? Here’s how to apply:
Please go to https://mangomaterials.bamboohr.com/jobs to apply.
- Complete the application profile.
- Upload a short (less than 100 word) cover letter in PDF format
- Include a postscript with your cover letter letting us know what you would ideally like out of this job.
- Upload your resume.
- Answer all the questions on the application profile.
Mango Materials is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, believe in second chances, and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.