Yama - Chemist intern
Yama
Posted on May 22, 2025
Yama - Chemist intern
About Yama
Yama is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: Climate Change. Our mission is to remove 1 billion tons of CO2 by 2050 through the development of the most energy-efficient and scalable Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology.
DAC is essential to limit global warming to 1.5°C, but current technologies are resource-intensive and unsustainable at scale. At Yama, we’ve innovated a game-changing approach that integrates two CO2 desorption technologies, breaking through thermodynamic and kinetic barriers to enable scalable and affordable CO2 removal.
Founded in May 2023, Yama is a Delaware-incorporated spinout from Deep Science Ventures, supported by the Grantham Foundation and backed by top-tier US and EU investors. Based in Paris, France, our leadership team—CEO Aurélie Gonzalez and CTO Valentin Fougerit—are driving this bold climate mission forward.
Join us to help build a tech-driven solution to save the planet.
The Role: Chemist intern
Yama is looking for a chemistry intern in its R&D team to work on a key part of its technology: solvent design and development.
The role will support the R&D team on experiments and defining the tech roadmap on solvent choices and development with the Chemist and Absorption Process Engineer.
Concretely, he/she will be in charge of:
Contributing to an extensive literature review on solvents for CO2 capture which may be relevant to the Yama process (if needed, designing organic molecules that have the desired characteristics)
Supporting molecule synthesis (adapted from literature work or from own custom design)
Supporting screening tests (CO2 absorption kinetics, viscosity, density, conductivity, volatility, and stability)
Contributing to the development of solvent testing setups (in-house)
Performing analytical methods to support R&D developments (NMR, Total Nitrogen and Carbon analysis, and pH)
The industrialization pathway is essential to Yama. Therefore, developments on solvents must always be related to technical-economic analysis at an industrial scale: production method, production capacity, availability of raw materials, and cost of production.
This development will be performed under the guidance of the Chemist and Absorption Engineer, in partnership with external companies or R&D partners, such as but not limited to: suppliers, academic or private R&D group, and external experts.
He/She will report and work closely with the Chemist and Absorption Process Engineer, and occasionally with the CTO.
This is a key role in Yama organisation as working on the heart of the Yama technology.
Key Responsibilities
Support R&D developments on the solvent to be used in the Yama process, with an understanding of process challenges on absorption and regeneration units.
In coordination with the R&D team, conduct a 4-month R&D program to choose a readily available solvent for the pilot unit.
In coordination with the R&D team, design a 3-year R&D program to develop a new solvent from lab scale to industrial production.
Contribute to solvent testing protocols, build experimental set-ups, and perform them at the Yama lab in Paris or partner facilities.
Support external partnerships (academic and industrial) to execute the designed R&D programs.
Contribute to IP development regarding the solvent (competitor benchmark, IP production for Yama).
Position Benefits
The position will offer a valuable hands-on opportunity to work in a fast-paced, evolving industrial environment with R&D, focused on solving applied immediate problems.
It’s a 6-month intern position (min 5 months).
Enjoy the innovative spirit within the dynamic international team based in the center of Paris.
Networking with a plethora of deep-tech startups and companies.
The position will offer the opportunity to make a practical contribution to mitigating the climate crisis.
Qualification requirements
Experiences:
Currently pursuing a Master level in Organic or physical or polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, or material science.
Competences in CO2 Capture or Utilization would be a plus, but not essential
Skills:
Strong technical and project management abilities.
Fluent in English; French is an advantage.
Mindset:
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 this sounds like your next challenge, send your CV and cover letter explaining why you’re the perfect fit to hello@yamacarbon.com.
Let’s make climate history—together.