Chemical Engineering Research Assistant

Hyfé • San Francisco, CA

1d

About The Position

We are looking for chemical engineering or chemistry students interested in joining an exctiting early-stage startup to scale the refinery of the future. This role will report to the Senior Scientist & Lab Manager and work closely with other members of the Hyfé team. 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.

Every year, approximately one billion tons of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetable byproducts are discarded or under-utilized across global food systems. For processors, getting rid of this waste is costly and emissions-intensive, creating significant environmental impact with little to no economic return. Yet these byproducts contain valuable compounds that could transform the economics of businesses across the food system and help catalyze the production of sustainable chemicals and materials. Hyfé exists to change that.
Hyfé transforms food waste into high-value ingredients using a label-friendly, thermochemical refining process. Our team of scientists and engineers brings decades of expertise from the oil refining and chemical industries, specializing in scaling industrial processes and pioneering sustainable solutions.
At Hyfé, you’ll have the opportunity to build at the earliest stages of a mission-driven company—working alongside a world-class team, shaping real products, and helping define how the next generation of ingredients are made.
Our mission is simple: To transform carbon we waste into carbon we need.

Requirements

• Chemistry or chemical engineering degree, bachelors minimum.
• 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.

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.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• 15 days PTO, paid holidays, and year-end office closure (pending business performance)
• 401(k) plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• In-office snacks & drinks
• Weekly and monthly team bonding
• Opportunity for rapid growth as the company scales

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level