Internship: R&D Engineer - Carbon Capture materials testing

We are Skytree

Skytree enables a transition to a world with cleaner Air for everyone. We do this by developing and deploying smart technology that captures atmospheric carbon dioxide, enabling its use or storage to combat climate change and aid society and businesses around the world.

Born out of the European Space Agency (ESA), we are a global team of highly talented scientists, engineers and business professionals, supported by an experienced management team. Our working culture is based on a dynamic and smart approach to business with an open and understanding attitude to others and a desire to expand the boundaries of what is possible.

As we enter a new phase of growth, we’re excited to welcome a driven R&D Engineer Intern to learn, grow, and go on this journey with us!

Project Background
Skytree builds modular and scalable technology for Direct Air Capture (DAC) of CO2 to combat climate change. One critical component of it is the sorbent material that captures CO2 from the air and later releases it for storage or use. Part of the Skytree R&D effort is to develop a family of sorbents with optimal characteristics for a range of incoming air conditions - temperature, humidity and purity.  To support this effort, the Skytree Sorbent Testing laboratory operates a constantly expanding range of equipment to characterize critical sorbent characteristics, such as CO2 and water loading capacity, capture kinetics, mechanical properties, degradation, and more.   

NOTE:

• This internship duration is 3-6 months, full-time, 40 hours /week.

• The start date is ASAP.

• This position does not meet the criteria for employer sponsorship therefore, we are unable to support work permit or residency applications.

You’ll make an impact by:

You will have an opportunity to work on a wide range of tasks, from basic research and modeling to equipment design to hands-on assembly and testing. Based on your interests and abilities, your work can be split between these three areas:

1. Assembly, testing and benchmarking the sorbent lifetime testing equipment: As part of the effort to expand Skytree’s sorbent characterisation capabilities, we have developed a custom set-up for accelerated aging of the sorbent. As an R&D engineering intern you will work alongside R&D team scientists and engineers, supporting them with assembling the set-up, developing control and data analysis software, designing and performing test routines and commissioning the set-up.

2. Maintenance and modifications of the R&D Testing Lab equipment: There is a constant backlog of tasks aimed at the maintenance and improvement of the existing sorbent testing equipment. These tasks typically require a wide range of hands-on skills, including gas and liquid line assembly, electrical assembly, data acquisition and analysis, software development and documentation writing. 

3. Independent research project: Based on your interests and your institution’s requirements, we can design a custom research project for you, supported by our team of physicists, chemists and engineers. 

Learning Objectives:

• Gain real-life hands-on experience building hardware and software for a novel experimental set-up. This may include: 

  • Design and assembly of gas piping and vacuum systems

  • Design and assembly of SCADA systems, including sensors, signal processing and SCADA software

  • Design and assembly of electrical and automation systems for analytical equipment

  • Development of the software for data processing and analysis

• Understand physics, chemistry and engineering behind an emerging field of Carbon Capture through daily interactions with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. 

• Work as part of a dynamic clean-tech startup that prioritizes scientific and engineering excellence. 

What we are looking for

• You are hands-on, enjoy tinkering with electronics and hardware and have completed projects that prove it.

• You have completed or are in the midst or at the end of a Master’s degree in Technical discipline: applied or technical physics, electrical engineering, automation, mechanical engineering etc.

• Experience with data analysis (Python), CAD software (Inventor, Fusion) or SCADA systems is a plus. 

• Experience with sensors (temperature, pressure, humidity, etc) is a plus. 

• Propensity for first principles thinking is a plus. 

• You enjoy cross-disciplinary challenges which require creative thinking.

• You can communicate clearly and proficiently in English, both in day-to-day and technical domain.

What can you expect

Apart from working with great colleagues and a competitive package, you can also expect:

• A unique start-up environment offering organic professional and personal growth at one of the most innovative cleantech companies in Amsterdam!

• A diverse (31+ nationalities) and fun team to work with.

• A monthly allowance of EUR 550 + lunch allowance and travel cost reimbursement

• Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work, with the option to work from home once a week.

• A vibrant office close to the Science Park train station (5 minute walk!), as well as close to the highway.

• Access to the Science Park and Amsterdam University cafeterias (and all the great and healthy meal options).

• Fun activities, organised by our very own Champagne Committee (e.g. a cooking class or Canal Adventures at the heart of the city centre).

• Stay fueled with tasty fruits and snacks - because work should be enjoyable too!

Questions?

Need some more info, or simply have a question for us? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Please send an email to alisa.volcker@skytree.tech