Company: ChainCraft

About the job

At ChainCraft, we are turning chemistry circular. We develop sustainable biotechnological processes that convert food waste into valuable bio-based fatty acids.
An essential step in bringing these processes to industrial reality is eƯicient downstream processing. We are looking for an enthusiastic intern eager to develop and test lab-scale separation strategies for recovering octanoic acid from fermentation broths.

R&D Internship: Downstream Processing of Octanoic Acid
This internship focuses on experimental research into the recovery and purification of octanoic acid from complex fermentation matrices. The project will investigate and optimize downstream processing routes suitable for circular, low-cost bioprocesses, with attention to scalability and process integration.

Requirements

  • MSc/HBO Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, (Bio)Chemistry or similar
  • AƯinity with laboratory research and separation processes
  • Experience with wet-lab work and analytical techniques (e.g. GC, HPLC) is an
  • advantage
  • Structured, hands-on, and safety-conscious working style
  • Minimum availability of 5 months (40h/week)

What describes you?

  • Eager to contribute to a sustainable and circular future
  • Pro-active, curious, and experimental-minded
  • Comfortable working in a lab and troubleshooting experiments
  • Motivated to translate lab results into real-world impact

The candidate

  • Design and execute lab-scale experiments for octanoic acid separation from fermentation broths (e.g. extraction, phase separation, adsorption, precipitation or hybrid approaches).
  • Study the eƯect of broth composition (pH, salts, co-products, biomass) on
  • separation performance.
  • Quantify recovery yields, selectivity, and purity using appropriate analytical
  • techniques.
  • Integrate downstream processing approaches with fermentation technologies.
  • Evaluate process robustness and scalability of promising downstream concepts.

What will you do?

  • Set up and perform laboratory experiments
  • Develop and optimize experimental protocols
  • Analyze samples and interpret experimental data
  • Compare diƯerent downstream processing strategies
  • Document results and translate findings into process-relevant insights
  • Contribute to R&D discussions and projects within the team

What we offer

At ChainCraft, you contribute to a better world by making sustainable innovation a
reality. We oƯer a stimulating and informal environment with an international team that
shares a mission to replace fossil and palm-based chemicals with circular alternatives.
You will join an enthusiastic and young team with weekly free lunches, monthly drinks,
and social activities. Internship compensation of €450 per month is available.

Experience level: Junior

How to apply: send your CV and motivation to internships@chaincraft.com