Materials R&D Intern, Master's/PhD, Summer 2022

At Apeel, we look to nature to help the global food system extend quality, prevent waste, and ensure an abundant future for our planet.

We believe that our most essential ingredient in our recipe for success is our people. We strive to cultivate an environment where everyone is welcomed, and can bring their full, authentic selves into everything they do at Apeel. Humility, Ingenuity, Leadership and Teamwork are the values that define us and how we work with each other, customers, and communities across the globe.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 required, unless you qualify for a federally protected exemption.

Company Background

Since 2012, founder James Rogers has been on a mission to tackle the global Food Waste Crisis with a goal of providing a more sustainable, equitable path forward for the global food system. Apeel is an edible protective layer that extends fruits’ and vegetables’ shelf-life. Apeel-covered fruits and vegetables spoil slower and require less refrigeration, and the plant-derived peel reduces the use of plastic and other products harmful to the planet. Apeel pulls material from the natural skins, peels, seeds, and pulp found on fruits and vegetables, to create the extra protective peel. The thin layer slows down water loss and oxidation, which can help keep those fruits and vegetables from browning and spoiling.

If you are ready for an opportunity to jump in, take ownership, and drive meaningful outcomes in a highly collaborative, communicative, and dynamic environment, we would love to connect with you!

About This Role

The Materials R&D team is responsible for the development and characterization of existing and new Apeel formulations. We are seeking a motivated graduate-level Materials R&D Intern who will develop experimental methods to characterize the equilibrium and dynamic properties of soft condensed matter systems within liquids or at liquid-solid interfaces. The program dates for summer 2022 are from June 13th - August 19th (10 weeks). To qualify for this program applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited US college or university and reside within the United States for the duration of the internship.

What You’ll Do

• Independently develop experimental methods to relate formulation compositions to membrane behavior and properties, leveraging in-house equipment capabilities and shared research facilities at UC Santa Barbara.  
• Characterize mechanics and molecular/collective dynamics of lipid membranes spanning several spatial and temporal scales 
• Identify relevant structural or dynamic contributions to observed rheology and barrier properties
• Evaluate impact of additives on membrane properties
• Develop experimental and analyses protocols for investigating the deposition kinetics and equilibrium properties of self-assembled lipids at liquid/solid interfaces
• Demonstrate method(s) to colleagues and provide documentation

What You Bring 

• Are currently pursuing a Master’s or PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field 
• Familiar with membrane physics literature 
• Proficiency with SAXS, neutron scattering, fluorescence microscopy, AFM, or related techniques, hands-on experience in preparing supported lipid bilayers  
• Self-directed and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills and strong verbal communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Highly organized and with a strong ability to manage multiple priorities in parallel 
• Takes ownership to drive projects and assignments through to prompt and effective completion

Apeel believes that the scale of our impact is determined by the teams that work with us. As such, we seek to build high-performing teams of people from various experiences and backgrounds who can collectively push our company into new realms. We seek a diverse pool of applicants and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, ancestry, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, Veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status. If you have a special need or disability that requires accommodation, please let us know.