Application Guide

How to Apply for Intern in R&D Program Management (80-100%)

at Climeworks

🏢 About Climeworks

Climeworks is a pioneering direct air capture company that removes CO₂ from the atmosphere using innovative technology. They stand out for their ambitious climate mission combined with a business-focused approach that delivers economic value while tackling climate change. Working here means contributing to scalable climate solutions in a dynamic scale-up environment.

About This Role

This R&D Program Management intern will support the coordination and execution of research and development projects at a climate tech leader. The role involves helping manage timelines, resources, and cross-functional collaboration to advance Climeworks' carbon removal technology. It's impactful because you'll contribute directly to scaling climate solutions while gaining experience in program management within a mission-driven organization.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coordinating with R&D teams to track project milestones, updating program documentation, and facilitating communication between technical and business stakeholders. You'd likely spend time analyzing project data, preparing status reports, and helping identify potential bottlenecks in the R&D pipeline while contributing to process improvements.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Climeworks Is Looking For

  • Has demonstrated grit and resilience in academic or project settings, with examples of overcoming challenges to achieve ambitious goals
  • Shows entrepreneurial thinking through side projects, initiatives, or coursework that combines climate awareness with practical business considerations
  • Possesses strong organizational skills and experience coordinating multiple stakeholders or projects, even in academic contexts
  • Thrives in dynamic environments and can provide examples of adapting to changing priorities while maintaining progress

📝 Tips for Applying to Climeworks

1

Highlight specific examples where you've taken ownership of a project from conception to completion, emphasizing measurable outcomes

2

Demonstrate your understanding of both climate science and business realities by discussing how you've balanced idealism with practical constraints in past work

3

Showcase experience with project coordination tools (like Asana, Trello, or similar) and how you've used them to manage timelines or resources

4

Research Climeworks' specific technology and mention how your skills could support their R&D pipeline specifically

5

Prepare to discuss how you've learned from setbacks in academic or project settings, showing growth mindset and resilience

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your personal connection to climate action and how it aligns with Climeworks' mission of making 'the impossible possible'", 'Specific examples of managing or coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders, emphasizing organizational and communication skills', 'How you balance ambitious climate goals with practical business considerations, showing you understand their dual focus', 'Your ability to thrive in a dynamic scale-up environment, with examples of adapting to changing priorities']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Climeworks' specific direct air capture technology and how it differs from other carbon removal approaches
  • → Their recent partnerships, projects, or funding announcements to understand current priorities and scale-up stage
  • → The business model of selling carbon removal to corporate clients and how this creates economic value
  • → Their organizational values and culture as a scale-up, including how they balance innovation with execution

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you managed a complex project with multiple stakeholders and how you ensured alignment and progress
2 How do you prioritize tasks when resources are limited and timelines are tight in a fast-paced environment?
3 What experience do you have with R&D processes or technology development, and how would you apply it here?
4 How would you handle a situation where project requirements changed mid-stream due to new research findings?
5 What draws you specifically to Climeworks' approach to climate solutions versus other climate tech companies?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on climate passion without demonstrating practical project management or organizational skills
  • Using generic application materials that don't specifically address Climeworks' unique combination of climate mission and business focus
  • Failing to show how you've learned from past setbacks or challenges, which contradicts their value of learning from failures

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Climeworks!

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