Summer Intern - Metallurgy and Chemistry

The role

The intern will join a research team to develop flowsheets for recovering critical metals or perform organic synthesis of selective ligands. Work involves running bench experiments, analyzing samples, and documenting results through a final technical report.

What you will do

• Plan and run bench experiments including leaching, solvent extraction, ion-exchange tests, or multi-step organic syntheses and media functionalization.
• Analyze samples by ICP-OES, titration, NMR, FTIR or other techniques.
• Keep complete laboratory records.
• Build mass balances and flowsheet options or characterize ligand loading and selectivity.
• Present results weekly to the research team.
• Write a final technical report.
• Maintain safe handling of acids, oxidants, solvents and air-sensitive reagents.
• Take ownership of shared equipment and keep the laboratory safe and organized.

Required qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate student in metallurgical engineering, extractive metallurgy, chemistry or chemical engineering, graduating 2027 or 2028.
• Experimentalist fluent in wet-chemistry laboratory technique.
• Organic synthesis experience (Schlenk technique, purification, NMR interpretation) for the chemistry track.
• Comfortable with mass balances, speciation and solution chemistry.
• Careful record keeper.
• Comfortable with spreadsheets and laboratory data systems.
• Ability to work in fast paced and demanding atmosphere.
• Team player.

Nice to have

• Exposure to hydrometallurgy preferred for the metallurgy track

About the company

Kunin Technologies is revolutionizing the critical mineral supply chain by implementing advanced separation technologies to capture value from overlooked resources.