INTERNSHIP DETAILS

R&D Intern in Applied Chemistry (m/f/d)

CompanyqCella AG
LocationZurich
Work ModeOn Site
PostedNovember 2, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will actively contribute to R&D initiatives, including reaction condition screening, process monitoring, and analytical characterization. They will also be responsible for yield enhancement studies, troubleshooting, and documentation of experimental data.
Internship Type
intern
Company Size
11
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
qCella develops an innovative radiant surface heating technology designed to make EV cabin heating dramatically more efficient. While electric vehicles (EVs) are essential to reaching Net Zero, inefficient cabin heating in winter can significantly cut driving range. This is a challenge that traditional air-based systems are unable to solve. The Solution: qCella’s paper-thin, flexible, and lightweight heating mats integrate directly into EV interior paneling, meaningfully extending driving range. These mats are customizable to almost any shape or size and harness the scalability and cost-efficiency of industrial paper manufacturing. Versatile Applications: Beyond mobility, our heating mats offer high-performance solutions across several industries: Filtration: Heating filter papers for absorption-desorption processes. Food Processing: Replacing traditional hot-water-based systems. Lab Analytics: Providing precisely shaped, customizable heating zones. Core Innovation & Future Potential: Our core innovation is a material platform technology that functionalizes cellulose fibers with metal particles, such as copper or silver. The result is a non-woven mat produced via conventional paper manufacturing processes with electrically conductive and/or antibacterial properties. While currently optimized for heating, this material platform also opens new doors in electromagnetic shielding, sensing, and specialty paper manufacturing.
About the Role

Located at ETH Zürich, Campus Hönggerberg (ZH)
6 to 12 months | temporary | start Winter 2026

At qCella, we revolutionize the way products are heated, such as automotive interiors, wearable technology, and pain-relieving solutions. As a pioneering hardware startup from ETH Zurich, we are committed to introducing innovative materials for resistive heating applications and beyond. Our mission is to replace the outdated heating wire technology with our cutting-edge, homogenously heating, paper-thin, flexible, and easily shape-customizable heating mats, offering unparalleled versatility and efficiency.

Position Overview

Are you passionate about innovation, sustainability, and technology? Join our dynamic R&D team as an intern and gain hands-on experience in a start-up environment that’s shaping the future of heating technology. This internship provides a unique opportunity to work on exciting projects in a collaborative and forward-thinking setting.

Tasks

As an intern, you will actively contribute to ongoing R&D initiatives. Your tasks will include:

  • Reaction condition screening and optimization (high-throughput experimentation)

  • Brainstorm, design and implement experiment series

  • Process monitoring and analytical characterization

  • Yield and purity enhancement studies

  • Troubleshooting and problem-solving in synthesis

  • Documentation and data analysis for process improvement

Requirements

  • Students in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering preferred

  • Experience in project work is an advantage

  • Good oral and written communication skills in English

  • Work permit in Switzerland, Citizen of a Schengen member country or students currently enrolled in a Swiss university with a mandatory internship requirement as part of their curriculum

  • High social skills, good team player, ability to work independently, and high sense of responsibility

Benefits

Offer

  • Challenging and interesting internship with focus on materials development and chemical synthesis optimization

  • Exciting behind-the-scenes look at a startup environment

  • Friendly and fun team

Join qCella AG as an R&D Intern in Applied Chemistry and contribute to exciting projects in a dynamic, small-team environment. Apply with your CV and a motivation letter explaining why you want to intern at qCella.

Key Skills
ChemistryChemical engineeringReaction condition screeningHigh-throughput experimentationAnalytical characterizationSynthesisData analysisTroubleshootingProblem-solvingProject workCommunication skillsTeamworkIndependent work
Categories
Science & ResearchEngineeringTechnology
Benefits
Challenging and interesting internshipFocus on materials development and chemical synthesis optimizationBehind-the-scenes look at a startup environmentFriendly and fun team