Petrochemicals account for 7% of global emissions and are projected to drive over a third of the growth in oil demand by 2030, surpassing sectors like aviation and shipping. By 2050, an additional 7 million barrels of oil per day will be required to meet the rising demand for plastics, fertilizers, and other essential products. Despite its massive environmental footprint, the petrochemical industry remains an overlooked contributor to climate change.At the same time, over four billion tons of plant biomass waste are generated globally each year—containing more than enough carbon to replace petroleum-derived chemicals entirely. Biorefineries convert this biomass into platform chemicals, such as glucose, ethanol, and organic acids, which serve as building blocks for producing plastics, solvents, and fertilizers. In harnessing the carbon potential within biomass, this technology enables a direct pathway to displacing petrochemicals and represents a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and build a sustainable, circular economy. Unlike traditional biorefineries, Hyfé leverages food processing waste, such as grape pomace and carrot peels, which are rich in high-value specialty chemicals. By extracting these components, Hyfé achieves 5X revenue than traditional outputs, enabling platform chemicals to be competitively priced and biorefineries profitable at any scale.

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Hyfé is a biorefining company that transforms plant waste into the chemical precursors necessary to make chemicals and materials without petroleum.

Start date: Flexible, ~June 2025 idealCompany Overview:Hyfé transforms plant waste into chemical alternatives to petroleum. Petrochemicals account for 7% of global emissions and drive over a third of global oil demand, yet the industry remains one of the most overlooked contributors to climate change. At the same time, over four billion tons of plant biomass waste are generated globally each year—containing more than enough carbon to replace petroleum-derived chemicals entirely. Hyfé addresses this challenge with a novel biorefining approach that uses green chemistry and catalysis to produce low-cost platform chemicals. Unlike traditional biorefineries, Hyfé leverages food processing waste, which are rich in high-value specialty chemicals, enabling platform chemicals to be competitively priced and biorefineries profitable at any scale.Backed by a leadership team with deep expertise in oil refining, novel technology scale-up, and capital projects, Hyfé is uniquely positioned to commercialize refining of the future. By converting underutilized plant waste into valuable resources, we not only reduce emissions but also pave the way for decarbonizing industries heavily reliant on fossil-based resources. RoleWe are looking for summer semester and/or year-long coops for students pursuing chemical engineering or chemistry degrees. This role will report to the VP of Engineering and Process Technology and work closely with other members of the Hyfé team.  Responsibilities<ul><li>Collaborate with technical team to plan, prepare, and perform experiments, including buffer preparation and sterilization, lignocellulosic pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, etc.</li><li>Perform scientific research online, as needed</li><li>Follow all safety practices, including wearing proper PPE, completing safety trainings, and contributing to the ongoing development of safety systems and protocols</li><li>Manage routine lab maintenance and upkeep, including inventory, cleaning, and organization</li><li>Chip in to tackle miscellaneous tasks, like office organizational task, setting up computers and equipment, and ordering/procuring supplies</li><li>Complete tasks within agreed timelines, tracking and communicating progress</li></ul> Requirements<ul><li>Currently working on collegiate level chemical engineering or chemistry courses with laboratory component</li><li>Ability to set up a regular schedule of 40 hr/week during standard business hours</li><li>Innovative mindset with a can-do attitude and passion for Hyfé’s vision</li><li>Ability to navigate challenges independently, leveraging team for feedback when appropriate</li><li>Strong interpersonal, communication, and time management skills</li><li>Authorization to work in the US (unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position)</li><li>Familiarity with SuperPro Designer or Aspen plus highly preferred</li></ul>  Equal Employment Opportunity Hyfé Foods is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Coop / Internship - Chemical Engineering Research Assistant

Scientist / Senior ScientistSan Francisco, CA - In-person, full timeABOUT HYFE:Hyfé transforms plant waste into chemical alternatives to petroleum. Petrochemicals account for 7% of global emissions and drive over a third of global oil demand, yet the industry remains one of the most overlooked contributors to climate change. At the same time, over four billion tons of plant biomass waste are generated globally each year—containing more than enough carbon to replace petroleum-derived chemicals entirely. Hyfé addresses this challenge with a novel biorefining approach that uses green chemistry and catalysis to produce low-cost platform chemicals. Unlike traditional biorefineries, Hyfé leverages food processing waste, which are rich in high-value specialty chemicals, enabling platform chemicals to be competitively priced and biorefineries profitable at any scale.Backed by a leadership team with deep expertise in oil refining, novel technology scale-up, and capital projects, Hyfé is uniquely positioned to commercialize refining of the future. By converting underutilized plant waste into valuable resources, we not only reduce emissions but also pave the way for decarbonizing industries heavily reliant on fossil-based resources. POSITION OVERVIEW:We are looking for a Scientist to join our growing R&amp;D team and support the development of our core technology by conducting research, developing processes, and characterizing biomass and its derivatives. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about science, sustainability, and innovation to make an impact.This is a hands-on role, requiring you to work closely with our technical team to design, operate, and improve processes, develop standard operating procedures, and ensure the seamless execution of customer pilot contracts. You will work on tight deadlines, analyze data, and report results that directly influence the commercialization of our technology.We seek a passionate individual dedicated to addressing climate change, who recognizes capitalism's potential to drive meaningful and sustainable solutions. The ideal candidate embodies our core values—unity, courage, momentum, dependability, and joy—values that are essential to tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time.ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES: <ul><li>Lead the design, planning, and execution of lab experiments to optimize the conversion of food processing waste into chemicals. </li><li>Develop and execute protocols to characterize biomass and intermediates characterization, including analytical techniques such as HPLC, LC-MS, and GPC.</li><li>Analyze and interpret experimental data, write technical reports, and present findings internally.</li><li>Document experiments, results, and findings while establishing systems for data management and process standardization.</li><li>Work cross-functionally with engineering and commercial teams to ensure seamless integration of research outcomes into scale-up and pilot plant operations.</li><li>Identify novel process improvements or proprietary methodologies and actively contribute to the development of intellectual property (IP), including drafting invention disclosures and collaborating on patent filings.</li><li>Collaborate on grant applications by providing technical input, experimental data, and process descriptions to support funding efforts.</li><li>Collaborate with partner labs and universities to advance research and technology development. </li><li>Communicate key findings, challenges, and recommendations to leadership and other stakeholders.</li><li>Ensure safe and organized lab operations, including proper handling of chemicals, waste disposal, and compliance with environmental and safety regulations. </li></ul>REQUIREMENTS:Must have qualifications:<ul><li>Ph.D. (strongly preferred) or M.Sc. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.</li><li>Hands-on experience with biomass processing techniques and characterization methods </li><li>Proven ability to troubleshoot, fix, and optimize equipment in a hands-on environment.</li><li>Strong time management, highly autonomous, self-stewarding, and solutions-oriented</li><li>Effective time management skills, collaboration skills, and high sense of urgency</li><li>Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment</li><li>Ability to travel to partner labs </li></ul> Highly desired qualifications: <ul><li>Experience in startups or dynamic, high-growth environments.</li><li>Familiarity with the development of scalable processes in the biorefining industry.</li><li>Experience with summative mass closure protocols, carbohydrate/lignin profiling and compositional analysis of biomass intermediates using HPLC and LC-MS.</li><li>Proven track record of developing intellectual property. </li><li>Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to draft clear, compelling, and scientifically accurate grant narratives.</li><li>Exposure to process modeling, techno-economic modeling or life-cycle assessments  </li></ul>BENEFITS: <ul><li>Competitive annual salary, commensurate with experience </li><li>Generous vacation policy, including 15 days of PTO, paid holidays, office closure on the last week of the year</li><li>401(k) plan </li><li>Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.</li><li>Short-term disability coverage</li><li>In-office snacks &amp; drinks </li></ul>  ==Equal Employment Opportunity: Hyfé is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Scientist / Senior Scientist

Process Development Engineer San Francisco, CA - In-person, full time POSITION OVERVIEW:We are looking for a Process Development Engineer to run our pilot facility and play a critical role in scaling up our core technology platform. If you identify as a “builder” or “fixer” and thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments, this role is for you. You will be responsible for commissioning, troubleshooting, and executing pilot-scale processes, as well as driving creative solutions to achieve technical objectives.This is a hands-on role, requiring you to work closely with our technical team to design, operate, and improve processes, develop standard operating procedures, and ensure the seamless execution of customer pilot contracts. You will work on tight deadlines, analyze data, and report results that directly influence the commercialization of our technology.We are seeking someone who is deeply committed to addressing climate change and believes that capitalism can drive meaningful, sustainable solutions. You will join a team driven by a mission to decarbonize materials and chemicals, tackling one of the most significant challenges of our time.ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES: <ul><li>Commission, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain pilot plant equipment, including high-pressure systems.</li><li>Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure safe and effective operations while enabling knowledge transfer across teams.</li><li>Design and execute experiments to optimize process parameters, improve performance, and achieve technical objectives.</li><li>Collaborate with R&amp;D, engineering, and leadership teams to address operational challenges and align goals and timelines.</li><li>Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&amp;IDs), and engineering documentation for pilot and scaled operations.</li><li>Use process simulation tools such as Aspen HYSYS to develop and optimize engineering designs, and perform mass and energy balances.</li><li>Document experiments, results, and findings while establishing systems for data management and process standardization.</li><li>Engage with vendors and external partners to evaluate and integrate new technologies or equipment into operations.</li><li>Communicate key findings, challenges, and recommendations to leadership and other stakeholders.</li><li>Contribute to safety systems, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and best practices.</li><li>Travel to partner labs and pilot facilities as needed to run experiments and support scale-up efforts.</li></ul> REQUIREMENTS:Must have qualifications:<ul><li>Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field with minimum of 5 years of experience operating high pressure equipment.</li><li>Strong foundation in process engineering fundamentals, including heat and mass balances, hydraulics, PFDs, and P&amp;IDs.</li><li>Proven ability to troubleshoot, fix, and optimize equipment in a hands-on environment.</li><li>Strong time management, highly autonomous, self-stewarding, and solutions-oriented</li><li>Effective time management skills, collaboration skills, and high sense of urgency</li><li>Appetite for a fast-paced environment</li><li>Ability to travel to partner labs</li></ul> Highly desired qualifications: <ul><li>Experience in startups or dynamic, high-growth environments.</li><li>Experience with lignocellulosic biomass conversion or related bio-based processes.</li><li>Proficiency in Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, or equivalent process simulation software.</li><li>Familiarity with safety regulations, permitting processes, and environmental compliance.</li><li>Exposure to sustainability frameworks or life-cycle assessments is also a plus. </li></ul>BENEFITS: <ul><li>Competitive annual salary, commensurate with experience </li><li>Generous vacation policy, including 15 days of PTO, paid holidays, and a company-wide holiday closure in December.</li><li>401(k) plan </li><li>Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.</li><li>Short-term &amp; long-term disability coverage</li><li>In-office snacks &amp; drinks </li><li>Weekly team lunch</li></ul> ABOUT HYFE:Hyfé transforms plant waste into chemicals that help displace petroleum. Joining Hyfé is a chance to be part of something extraordinary – it’s not just a job. We are pioneering a tangible and profitable solution to decarbonize commodity chemicals. And right now might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of some of the most talented and motivated individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of being fired up, fast, exceptional, and clear, our team is determined to deliver on our mission to transform how we make things for the better.   ==Equal Employment Opportunity: Hyfé is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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