Intern / Working Student – DAC / CO₂ Capture (f/m/x)

Essen

Full or part-time

Intern / Student

Let’s build the fossil-free future

At Greenlyte, we are reshaping the global fuel economy with our novel, IP-protected, direct air capture to fuels technology, which shows superior economic potential compared to existing approaches, even reaching fossil prices. Backed by leading European VCs and with commercial agreement from Lufthansa and MB Energy, we are deploying our first commercial facilities to prove commercial viability in the next 12 months.

Where Ambition Meets Purpose
We are not waiting for change. We are building it together. At Greenlyte, speed and collaboration define how we work. Our culture rewards initiative, learning, and teamwork. If you want to grow fast, take ownership, and shape real impact, this is the place to do it.

How you'll contribute

As an Intern or Working Student, you are at the heart of our technical evolution. You won't just be observing; you will be operating and optimizing a real-world pilot-scale absorption system. Your mission is to bridge the gap between theoretical research and scalable climate impact, ensuring our DAC systems are efficient, stable, and ready for the global stage. Ownership is always important at Greenlyte, and you will be empowered to drive experiments that directly influence our next generation of technology.

Core Responsibilities:

Pilot Plant Operation: Take charge of the DAC absorption unit, conducting systematic experiments to identify key process parameters and optimize the solvent loop.
Deep-Dive Analysis: Evaluate liquid distribution in the absorber column and analyze CO₂ uptake behavior under varying conditions and solvent compositions.
Data Mastery: Systematically process experimental data to evaluate plant performance, identify chemical trends, and create clear visualizations for R&D teams.
System Optimization: Investigate subsystem components (sump, pumps, piping, solid-liquid separation) and support upgrades to the experimental setup.
Stability Research: Monitor crystallization phenomena and their influence on the solvent loop to ensure long-term system stability.

Your first 12 months in the role: expectations and deliverables

Months 0-3

Get to know the team and the specific safety protocols of our pilot facilities.
Understand the fundamental chemistry and engineering principles behind our unique DAC process.
Shadow experienced engineers to learn the manual and digital controls of the absorption unit.

Months 3-6

Now the impact is concrete: You are independently running experimental series and providing the R&D team with actionable data sets.
Take the lead on a specific optimization project (e.g., distributor efficiency, sump design, crystallization monitoring, etc).

Months 6-12 (for long-term Working Students)

You are fully on-boarded and act as a subject matter expert for the pilot plant's daily performance.
Contributing to the design alternatives for our next scale-up facility based on your experimental findings.

About you

We are looking for a proactive, curious, and structured thinker who thrives in a hands-on laboratory and plant environment.

Education: Currently enrolled in a technical or scientific Bachelor’s (preferred) or Master’s program (e.g., Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Process Technology, or related).
Experimental Mindset: You have a genuine passion for sustainability and a background in hands-on lab work—you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty to see a process through.
Experience: You enjoy the trial-and-error of experimental work; previous lab or industry experience is a major plus.
Analytical Skills: You can find the "signal in the noise" by using data plotting tools (Microsoft Excel, etc.) to identify clear patterns within messy, real-world experimental results.
Structured Execution: You maintain an organized work manner and a disciplined work ethic, allowing you to manage complex tasks flexibly and reliably.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: You thrive in a startup environment, adapting quickly to changing priorities and taking initiative without waiting for a script.
Collaborative Mindset: You are a highly cooperative team player who enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds and values different perspectives.

Availability: You are ready to start in late July / August and can commit to 20–40 hours/week (40 hours preferred) for at least 5 months.

What we offer

Time to Recharge: 20 days of vacation plus public holidays.
Impactful Growth: The opportunity to shape and grow your role in a high-impact climate tech company with the potential for long-term career prospects or thesis work.
Culture of Excellence: A flat hierarchy and open communication culture where your work makes a visible difference, supported by founders who prioritize transparency.
Mentorship: Guidance from world-class engineers and researchers in a collaborative, international environment.
Perks: Access to corporate benefits and discounts.

Noteworthy points

This role cannot be done remotely as it involves hands-on work with our pilot plants. We require someone who lives within commuting distance to Essen or is open to relocate, which we are happy to support.

Did you like what you just read? Apply directly and send us your CV. We look forward to hearing from you!

About us

Greenlyte is an energy tech company enabling the scalable, cost-competitive production of resilient e-fuels for heavy industry, aviation, and shipping. The company's core technology, LiquidSolar™, converts CO₂ and renewable electricity into essential feedstocks for e-Methanol, e-Diesel, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Founded in 2022, Greenlyte has secured €55+ million in funding, secured 4 patents, and proven its technology with over 15,000 hours of system operation. Today, a team of more than 80 experts is working with major industrial partners to develop Greenlyte's first commercial plants. By 2050, the company aims to convert 100 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.