Co-op - Research & Development

Hyfé; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Hyfé seeks co-op students in chemical engineering or chemistry to help scale the refinery of the future. You will report to the Senior Scientist & Lab Manager and work with the R&D team on lab projects.

Start date January 2027, end date June 2027. The role is full-time, on-site in San Francisco, engaging in experiments, safety, data analysis, and lab maintenance with Hyfé’s values guiding daily work.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a chemical engineering or chemistry degree with a lab component.
• Willingness to work in a lab environment with proper PPE.
• Capable of handling lab materials safely and following safety trainings.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the technical team to plan, prepare, and perform experiments.
• Assist with pilot operations and maintain lab equipment.
• Record, analyze and present experimental data to the R&D team.
• Maintain inventory and uphold safety practices and EHS protocols.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Laboratory safety practices

Education

Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry student

Job description

Job Overview We are looking for co-op students pursuing chemical engineering or chemistry degrees interested in joining an exciting 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. This role reports to Hyfé’s Senior Scientist and Lab Manager working closely with the R&D Team.

Start date: January 2027

End date: June 2027

Job Overview We are looking for co-op students pursuing chemical engineering or chemistry degrees interested in joining an exciting 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. This role reports to Hyfé’s Senior Scientist and Lab Manager working closely with the R&D Team.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with technical team to plan, prepare, and perform experiments.
• Assist with pilot operations.
• Follow all safety practices, including wearing proper PPE, completing safety trainings, and contributing to the ongoing development of safety systems and protocols.
• Manage routine lab maintenance and upkeep, including inventory, cleaning, and organization.
• Complete tasks within agreed timelines, tracking and communicating progress.
• 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.

Requirements

• Currently working on collegiate level chemical engineering or chemistry courses with laboratory component.
• Capable of safely lifting and carrying laboratory materials and equipment weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to maintain a regular full-time schedule of 40 hours per week during standard business hours.
• Innovative mindset with a can-do attitude and passion for Hyfé’s vision.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.
• Authorization to work in the US (unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position).

About Hyfé See our coverage from the World Economic Forum https://youtube.com/shorts/djZ9Vvza07I?si=2o_O5s4sBWp9EtIR . Every year, approximately one billion tons of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetable waste is 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 waste streams 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 products range from bioactives to fibers, and are being commercialized to make the food we eat healthier for people and the planet. 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.____________________________________________________________________________ Hyfé is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.