Research & Development Intern (Chemistry/Metallurgy)

Uplift Geosystems; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 27,552 - 55,104; Part time

Job summary

Uplift Geosystems in Baltimore, Maryland is seeking an intern for minerals processing and extractive metallurgy research and development. The successful candidate will prepare rock samples for chemical analysis, perform experiments to assess metal leaching, and analyze experimental results in an onsite laboratory environment.

This internship is designed for currently enrolled students in relevant degree programs, emphasizing a safety-first approach and strong analytical skills.

Target compensation for this position ranges from $20 to $40 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program related to chemistry or engineering.
• Comfortable working in an onsite laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated safety-first mindset in laboratory practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare rock samples for mass spectrometry analysis.
• Separate minerals by magnetism and density.
• Perform experiments for metal leaching from rocks.

Skills

Comfortable in onsite laboratory environment

Demonstrated safety-first mindset

Data analysis software proficiency

Education

Currently enrolled in degree-seeking program (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, etc.)

Tools

Excel

MATLAB

Python

Job description

At Uplift, we’re on a mission to enable clean and low-cost production of metals used in turbines, batteries, and lightweight structural materials using our patent-pending chemical recycling device. By updating decades-old metallurgical processes with the latest advances in electrochemical membrane technology, we’re increasing the accessibility of electric vehicles and other clean technologies from the ground up. Specifically, we are building electrochemical membrane devices to regenerate acids and bases from brine streams for the integration into hydrometallurgical flow sheets. Conventional processes do not recycle acids, but rather neutralize them in carbon-emitting reactions that produce solid waste streams. The industry-leading energy efficiencies of our devices and their avoidance of hazardous gas byproducts enable a revolution in the production of critical metals including rare earth elements, zinc, and magnesium.

We are seeking an intern to assist in our minerals processing and extractive metallurgy research and development. We believe diversity makes us stronger. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for this role.

What you’ll do

• Prepare rock samples for analysis of chemical composition by mass spectrometry using mills, sieves, furnaces and other chemistry equipment.
• Separate minerals by magnetism and density.
• Perform experiments to assess rates of metal leaching from rocks.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results and analytical data to evaluate process performance, identify trends, and recommend modifications.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Geology, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Metallurgy, or related fields.
• Comfortable working in an onsite laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated safety-first mindset and commitment to safety laboratory practices.

Nice-to-have

• Prior experience working in a chemistry, materials, environmental, or chemical engineering laboratory.
• Knowledge of hazardous material handling, storage, and laboratory waste management.
• Experience conducting literature searches and preparing technical literature summaries.
• Familiar with data analysis software such as Excel, Origin, MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.
• Experience with laboratory analytical techniques and instrumentation such as titration, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or atomic emission spectrometry, X-Ray diffraction.
• Previous internship, co-op, or industry experience in research, manufacturing, process development, or engineering environment.

Our values – The Uplift Way

People first

Extraordinary people achieve extraordinary results. We strive to recruit and empower diverse teams because perspective brings strength. We take care of ourselves, our colleagues, our customers, and our communities.

Always raising the bar

We take pride in delighting our customers and partners. To be the best team we can be, we value constructively disagreeing, then committing, and adapting as needed. In our continuous pursuit of excellence, we celebrate successes and normalize good-faith stumbles along the way.

Bias towards action

In the race against climate change, we weigh risks of action against risks of inaction. Many decisions are reversible and do not need exhaustive prior study. We encourage calculated risk taking.

Compensation

Target compensation for this position is between $20/hr and $40/hr depending on experience level. Interns generally do not have access to company benefits (healthcare, 401(k)).