Application Guide
How to Apply for Intern in Sorbent Characterization (100%)
at Climeworks
🏢 About Climeworks
Climeworks is a pioneering direct air capture company that's literally removing CO₂ from the atmosphere at scale, making them unique in the climate tech space. They combine ambitious climate action with business pragmatism, offering the chance to work on cutting-edge technology that directly addresses climate change while operating in a dynamic scale-up environment.
About This Role
As an Intern in Sorbent Characterization, you'll be working hands-on with the materials that capture CO₂ from the air, analyzing their performance, durability, and efficiency. This role is impactful because optimizing sorbents directly improves the cost-effectiveness and scalability of Climeworks' carbon removal technology, making climate solutions more viable.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve planning and executing sorbent characterization experiments, analyzing data on material performance and degradation, collaborating with process engineers to translate lab findings to system improvements, and documenting results to inform both immediate optimization decisions and long-term R&D directions. You'd be balancing hands-on lab work with data analysis and cross-functional collaboration.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Climeworks Is Looking For
- A materials science, chemical engineering, or chemistry student with practical lab experience in characterization techniques (e.g., BET, TGA, XRD, SEM)
- Someone who thrives in fast-paced environments and can adapt to the dynamic needs of a climate tech scale-up
- A problem-solver who approaches challenges methodically but isn't afraid to take calculated risks in experimentation
- A collaborative team player who understands that climate solutions require interdisciplinary cooperation
📝 Tips for Applying to Climeworks
Highlight any hands-on experience with sorbent materials or adsorption/desorption processes specifically
Demonstrate understanding of how material characterization connects to real-world climate impact at scale
Show examples of working in dynamic environments where priorities shift rapidly
Reference Climeworks' specific projects or technology approach in your application materials
Emphasize both technical skills AND alignment with their values of responsible risk-taking and climate action
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with material characterization techniques relevant to sorbents', "How you've demonstrated grit and resilience in previous academic or research projects", 'Your understanding of the connection between material science and scalable climate solutions', "Why Climeworks' specific approach to direct air capture excites you personally"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Climeworks' specific DAC technology and how sorbents fit into their process
- → Their current projects and partnerships (like Orca, Mammoth, or corporate partnerships)
- → Recent publications or presentations by Climeworks scientists on sorbent development
- → The broader direct air capture industry landscape and Climeworks' position within it
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a generic materials science background without connecting it specifically to sorbents or adsorption processes
- Focusing only on academic research without showing interest in practical, scalable applications
- Demonstrating rigidity or resistance to the dynamic, fast-paced nature of a climate tech scale-up
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!