Co-op)

Ammobia•San Francisco, CA

5h•$30 - $45•Onsite

About The Position

Ammobia is seeking an R&D Intern to help develop next-generation ammonia synthesis technology, working across materials science, reaction engineering, process development, data science, and controls. The role supports technology development from laboratory experiments through pilot-scale demonstrations. It is highly hands-on and multidisciplinary, involving experiment design, construction and operation of custom research equipment, development and characterization of materials, experimental data analysis, and improvements to process performance and automation. The intern will work closely with a small team of scientists and engineers in a fast-moving startup environment. Projects will be tailored to the intern's background and interests, as well as the team's R&D priorities, with opportunities to take ownership of technical challenges. The position also contributes to safe laboratory operations and a rigorous, collaborative experimental environment. Winter, summer, and extended co-op opportunities are available. This is a full-time, onsite role in San Francisco, California, with a flexible duration of at least 10 weeks and start dates based on academic schedules and project needs.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
Strong foundation in relevant engineering and scientific fundamentals, such as thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, or materials science.
Significant hands-on research experience in heterogeneous catalysis, materials development, chemical reactors, gas-solid processes, or a closely related field, demonstrated through substantial academic research, a relevant technical internship, or industry R&D experience.
Demonstrated ownership of technical projects, including independently designing and executing experiments, troubleshooting experimental challenges, and drawing quantitative conclusions from results.
Enthusiasm for and experience in designing, building, testing, and troubleshooting physical systems.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools for scientific computing, data analysis, or equipment control.
Proficiency in agentic AI usage for programming and/or data analysis.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Graduate training.
Experience with heterogeneous catalysis, gas adsorption, materials synthesis, or materials characterization techniques such as BET, TGA, XRD, or SEM/EDS.
Experience designing, assembling, or operating chemical reactors, gas handling systems, or other experimental equipment.
Familiarity with process instrumentation, sensors, valves, fluid systems, and Swagelok fittings.
Experience with control systems, automation, data acquisition, or hardware-software integration.
Experience with detailed process simulation or reactor modeling.
Prior experience in an industrial R&D environment, engineering design team, or hardware startup.

Responsibilities

Develop, synthesize, and characterize catalysts, sorbents, and structured materials for advanced ammonia synthesis processes.
Design, build, and operate laboratory- and pilot-scale reactor systems; conduct experimental campaigns to evaluate and optimize performance.
Develop and improve reactor control systems, data acquisition tools, and experimental automation to improve reliability and throughput.
Plan experiments, analyze performance data, and apply first-principles approaches to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and guide development.
Apply thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and heat and mass transfer fundamentals to understand material and reactor behavior and support process optimization.
Document experimental procedures and results, present findings to the R&D team, and contribute to developing technologies and processes.
Contribute to the safe operation of laboratory equipment and help maintain a rigorous, collaborative experimental environment.