Application Guide
How to Apply for Research Assistant in Sorbent Characterization
at Climeworks
🏢 About Climeworks
Climeworks is a pioneer in direct air capture technology, operating the world's first commercial-scale DAC plants. The company stands out for its proven, scalable technology that permanently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere, making it a leader in the carbon removal space. Working here means contributing directly to climate solutions at a company with real-world operational plants, not just theoretical research.
About This Role
This Research Assistant role focuses on characterizing sorbent materials used in Climeworks' direct air capture systems, directly supporting R&D efforts to improve efficiency and scalability. You'll be hands-on with experimental setups, data collection, and analysis in lab environments, contributing to technical documentation that informs material development decisions. This role is impactful because better sorbents mean more cost-effective carbon removal, accelerating climate action.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves preparing and testing sorbent samples in the lab using characterization equipment, collecting and analyzing data on material properties like adsorption capacity or stability. You'll collaborate with R&D team members to discuss findings, troubleshoot experiments, and document procedures and results in technical reports. The role balances hands-on laboratory work with data analysis and contribution to team meetings focused on improving DAC material performance.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Climeworks Is Looking For
- Currently pursuing or recently graduated with a degree in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering, with coursework or projects involving material characterization techniques (e.g., BET, TGA, XRD, SEM).
- Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail in laboratory settings, with experience in precise data collection, documentation, and analytical problem-solving.
- Shows genuine passion for climate action through academic projects, volunteer work, or personal initiatives related to carbon removal or environmental science.
- Thrives in collaborative environments, able to communicate technical findings clearly and work effectively with cross-functional R&D teams.
📝 Tips for Applying to Climeworks
Highlight any hands-on lab experience with sorbents, adsorbents, or porous materials—even from academic projects—and specify the characterization techniques you've used.
Explicitly connect your background to direct air capture by mentioning coursework or projects related to CO₂ capture, separation technologies, or material science for climate applications.
Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'sorbent characterization,' 'experimental setup,' 'data analysis,' and 'technical documentation.'
Demonstrate your passion for climate action by briefly mentioning specific Climeworks projects or technologies you admire in your cover letter.
If you have experience with collaborative research, provide concrete examples of how you contributed to team-based lab work or group projects.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why you're passionate about carbon removal and how Climeworks' mission aligns with your career goals in climate tech.", 'Detail your relevant hands-on experience with material characterization techniques and laboratory protocols, linking them directly to sorbent analysis.', 'Describe a specific academic or research project where you demonstrated analytical skills, attention to detail, and collaborative problem-solving.', "Express enthusiasm for contributing to R&D that improves DAC efficiency, mentioning Climeworks' operational plants or specific technologies if possible."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Climeworks' operational DAC plants (e.g., Orca, Mammoth) and their technology specifications to understand the context for sorbent development.
- → Review the company's recent research publications or whitepapers on sorbent materials or DAC efficiency improvements.
- → Explore Climeworks' partnerships and projects (e.g., with Microsoft, Stripe) to grasp their commercial and impact trajectory.
- → Understand the basics of direct air capture technology and how sorbent materials fit into the overall process cycle.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning Climeworks, direct air capture, or sorbent materials specifically.
- Overstating lab experience or skills with characterization techniques you haven't actually used hands-on.
- Failing to demonstrate passion for climate action or interest in carbon removal technologies beyond a superficial mention.
📅 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!