What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Research Co-op position at ZwitterCo?
Overview of Role
ZwitterCo is seeking Laboratory Research Co-ops to join the Technology Development team during the fall co-op cycle (July – December 2025) to help tackle water scarcity with our patented self-assembling membranes.
ZwitterCo is announcing an immediate opening for Laboratory Research Co-ops seeking a high-impact, collaborative role in a rapidly expanding business. The candidate will play a key role in the development and characterization of ZwitterCo’s breakthrough membranes. Candidates with interest and/or experience in organic polymer chemistry, membrane science, and/or materials characterization are encouraged to apply.
About ZwitterCo
ZwitterCo has developed a breakthrough in materials science, a new class of zwitterionic membranes with unprecedented fouling resistance, making it practical to filter challenging water, wastewater, and process streams. Our products are recognized as the premier tools for reusing wastewater, bringing new and impaired water resources into circulation, and maximizing efficiency in food and ingredient separations.
ZwitterCo was named Global Water Intelligence’s 2023 Breakthrough Water Technology Company of the Year and Fast Company’s Top Innovators of 2024. The company has commercial operations in numerous food and beverage, agricultural, and industrial sectors around the world and continues to advance its technology platform to unlock broader water, wastewater, and process applications.
Responsibilities Include
The Laboratory Research Co-op will be responsible for conducting research, designing experiments for synthesis and membrane development, and a variety of other functions in ZwitterCo’s R&D lab. Responsibilities may include:
- Conducting research into new and improved chemistry platforms for achieving membrane product performance goals
- Hand coating membranes from R&D polymer batches and characterizing material properties
- Developing new methods to characterize membranes depending on function and type
- Performance testing for new membranes
- Operating laboratory equipment such as UV/Vis, FTIR, contact angle measurements, etc.
- Analyzing data and making recommendations for next steps based on results from experiments
- Establishing SOPs for routine R&D procedures
Critical Success Factors
- Successful candidates will be methodical with excellent attention to detail
- Will readily approach test results through a critical lens
- Be well-versed in laboratory practices
- Have a keen interest in environmental and water technologies
Qualifications
Candidates should be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a similar field with at least 1 years of hands-on laboratory experience, which may include experience through laboratory coursework. Additional qualifications include:
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of chemical synthesis and characterization
- Experience with several analytical chemistry techniques
- Basic statistical analysis (mean, standard deviations, confidence intervals)
- Proficient in tools relevant to these fields, such as MS Excel and laboratory notebook maintenance
- Flexibility to adapt to changes in lab operations, priorities, or schedules
Schedule, Travel, Location, and Compensation
This full-time position is on-site in Woburn, MA, and reports directly to the Senior Research Scientist in Technology Development
