About the role#
Ammobia is developing next-generation ammonia synthesis technology. As an R&D intern, you will work at the intersection of materials science, reaction engineering, process development, data science, and controls. You will help advance technology from lab experiments to pilot-scale demonstrations. This is a hands-on role where you will design experiments, build and operate custom research equipment, develop novel materials, and analyze data. You will work closely with our team of scientists and engineers to take ownership of technical challenges.
What you'll do#
- Develop, synthesize, and characterize catalysts, sorbents, and structured materials.
- Design, build, and operate lab and pilot-scale reactor systems.
- Execute experimental campaigns to evaluate and optimize performance.
- Develop and improve reactor control systems, data acquisition tools, and experimental automation.
- Plan experiments, analyze performance data, and use first-principles to identify trends and troubleshoot issues.
- Apply thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and heat and mass transfer to support process optimization.
- Document experimental procedures, present findings to the R&D team, and contribute to safe laboratory operations.
What you'll need#
- Current pursuit of a BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (graduate training preferred).
- Strong foundation in thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and materials science.
- Significant hands-on research experience in heterogeneous catalysis, materials development, chemical reactors, or gas-solid processes.
- Demonstrated ownership of technical projects, including independent design, execution, and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools for scientific computing and data analysis.
- Proficiency in agentic AI usage for programming or data analysis.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience with heterogeneous catalysis, materials characterization (BET, TGA, XRD, SEM/EDS), gas handling systems, or process instrumentation is preferred.
- Familiarity with control systems, automation, hardware-software integration, or process simulation is a plus.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, on-site position based in San Francisco, California.
- Opportunities are available for Winter 2027 and Summer 2027 terms.
About Ammobia
Ammobia develops a chemical process for the clean production of ammonia. The company focuses on materials science and catalysis to lower the cost of green ammonia. Its systems work across different production scales to support the use of ammonia as a fertilizer and energy carrier. Founded in 2022 by Karen Baert and Tristan Gilbert, the firm operates out of San Francisco. It employs between 11 and 50 people.
How to get in at Ammobia
Applying early at Ammobia gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review the first wave of candidates before the volume becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can be among the first to submit your materials. This timing often determines whether your application is seen or buried in a large pile.
You can also improve your response rate by reaching out to the recruiters behind Ammobia roles directly. Intern Insider surfaces the specific people managing these openings, allowing you to ask relevant questions or request a referral. Connecting with a human contact is more effective than relying on a standard submission queue.
