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Chemical R&D Internship (Winter / Summer / Co-op)

ammobia

San Francisco, California

  • $30–$45 per hour
  • Onsite
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About the role

About Ammobia

Ammobia is pioneering the first fundamental breakthrough in ammonia production since 1909. Our modular Haber-Bosch 2.0 technology operates at low pressures and high single-pass conversions, delivering 2x lower capital costs; making ammonia affordable from any hydrogen source, across scale, and for any use case.

Backed by strategic investors including Shell Ventures, Air Liquide, Chevron, MOL, and by the US Department of Energy, we are building the essential infrastructure for fuel, fertilizer and the future of energy.

About the Role

Ammobia is looking for an R&D Intern to join our team developing next-generation ammonia synthesis technology. You will work at the intersection of materials science, reaction engineering, process development, data science, and controls, helping advance our technology from laboratory experiments to pilot-scale demonstrations.

This is a highly hands-on, multidisciplinary role where you will have the opportunity to design experiments, build and operate custom research equipment, develop and characterize novel materials, analyze experimental data, and improve process performance and automation.

You will work closely with a small team of scientists and engineers, gaining exposure to multiple aspects of technology development in a fast-moving startup environment. Projects will be tailored to your background, interests, and the team's evolving R&D priorities, with opportunities to take ownership of meaningful technical challenges.

Job Description

Depending on your experience and interests, responsibilities may include:

  • Materials R&D: Develop, synthesize, and characterize catalysts, sorbents, and structured materials for advanced ammonia synthesis processes.
  • Reactor and process development: Design, build, and operate lab and pilot scale reactor systems; execute experimental campaigns to evaluate and optimize performance.
  • Controls and automation: Develop and improve reactor control systems, data acquisition tools, and experimental automation to improve reliability and throughput.
  • Experimental design and analysis: Plan experiments, analyze performance data, and use first-principles approach to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and guide future development.
  • Modeling and process analysis: Apply fundamentals of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and heat and mass transfer to understand material and reactor behavior and support process optimization.
  • Technical communication: Document experimental procedures and results, present findings to the R&D team, and contribute to the development of new technologies and processes.

    • You will contribute to the safe operation of laboratory equipment and help maintain a rigorous, collaborative experimental environment.

Requirements

  • Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field. Graduate training preferred
  • Strong foundation in relevant engineering and scientific fundamentals, such as thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, 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 Have

    • Experience with heterogeneous catalysis, gas adsorption, materials synthesis, or materials characterization techniques (BET, TGA, XRD, SEM/EDS, etc.).
    • 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.

    Logistics

  • Winter, Summer, and extended Co-op opportunities available.
  • Full-time, onsite position in San Francisco, CA.
  • Flexible internship duration (10 weeks minimum) and start dates based on academic schedules and project needs.

    • Who we are

    We are a small and passionate team of scientists and engineers. We value teamwork, accountability, open communication, and rapid iteration. We emphasize career growth, mutual feedback, and a fun and exciting working environment. Check out ammobia.co/careers for our full values statement and ammobia.co to learn more about us.
    Ammobia 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. To apply, please submit your resume at https://www.ammobia.co/careers