Electrochemistry R&D Intern – Carbon Capture Startup
About Yama
Yama is tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change. Our mission is to capture 1 billion tons of CO₂ by 2050 by developing the most energy-efficient, scalable, and cost-effective low-concentration carbon capture technology, from Direct Air Capture (DAC) to diluted point-source emissions (ex: gas turbine).
Capturing CO₂ from low-concentration streams is essential to decarbonize hard-to-abate emissions and achieve global climate goals. Yet conventional carbon capture technologies remain energy-intensive, costly, and difficult to scale. At Yama, we are developing a breakthrough fully electrified carbon capture process combining advanced absorption chemistry and electrochemical regeneration. Our technology is designed to significantly reduce energy consumption and enable flexible operation, making carbon capture more affordable and easier to integrate with industrial operations.
Founded in 2023, Yama is a Delaware-incorporated spinout from Deep Science Ventures, supported by the Grantham Foundation and backed by leading US and European investors. Based in Paris, our leadership team—CEO Aurélie Gonzalez, CTO Valentin Fougerit, and Head of Science Harry Macpherson—is driving our mission to make low-concentration carbon capture a scalable climate solution.
Join us to help develop and scale the next generation of carbon capture technology.
The Role: Electrochemist intern
Yama is looking for an intern in its R&D team to work on a key part of its technology: the electrochemical stack.
The intern will be performing R&D tests on different electrochemical set-ups under the supervision of an Electrochemist engineer.
Concretely, he/she will be in charge of:
- Experimental planning: Contribute to the design of experimental campaigns to investigate the influence of cell components (membranes, spacers) and operating conditions on electrochemical performance.
- Experimental setup: Design, assemble, and improve laboratory-scale electrochemical test setups.
- Electrochemical testing: Conduct experiments to evaluate key performance indicators, including energy consumption, Faradaic efficiency, and cell voltage.
- Analytical characterization: Perform analytical measurements using techniques such as Total Inorganic Carbon (TIC) analysis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), depending on experimental needs.
- Data analysis and reporting: Analyze experimental results, identify performance trends, and propose recommendations to improve stack performance.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with the broader R&D team and potentially contribute to electrochemical process modelling activities.
Depending on project needs, you may also interact with external R&D partners, membrane manufacturers, and electrochemical technology suppliers.
He/She will report and work closely with the Electrochemist engineer, and occasionally with the CTO.
This is a key role in Yama organisation as working on the heart of the Yama technology.
Position Benefits
The position will offer a high level of autonomy.
- Hands-on R&D experience: Work directly on the electrochemical stack at the heart of Yama's carbon capture technology.
- Meaningful technical ownership: Take responsibility for experimental activities and contribute to key technical decisions.
- Close mentorship: Work alongside experienced engineers and scientists in electrochemistry, process engineering, and carbon capture.
- Real-world impact: Contribute to the development of a technology designed to make carbon capture more energy-efficient, affordable, and scalable.
- Dynamic startup environment: Join an international, multidisciplinary team where initiative, curiosity, and collaboration are highly valued.
- Deep-tech ecosystem: Work at our laboratory in Villejuif, easily accessible from Paris by metro, within a growing ecosystem of innovative companies.
Qualification requirements
Experiences:
- Master level in Electrochemistry, process engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, physical chemistry
- Experiences in electrochemistry or in CO2 Capture or Utilization would be a plus, but not essential.
Skills:
- Interest in hands-on laboratory work, experimental design, and data analysis.
- Strong technical and project management abilities.
- Fluent in English; French is a plus.
Mindset:
- Passion for climate innovation and impact.
- Obsessed by execution & results-oriented, team working spirit, and autonomy.
- Flexibility on the type of duties to be performed and capacity to work on different topics at the same time – Polyvalent/Multitask.
Ready to Build the Future?
If you're excited about designing, building, and automating experimental systems for next-generation carbon capture technology, we'd love to hear from you!
Send your CV and a short cover letter explaining your motivation and interest in the role to application@yamacarbon.com.
Let’s make climate history—together.