Co-Op, Materials Science, Heterogeneous Catalysis

Your Impact at LILA

As a Co-Op in Materials Science, Heterogeneous Catalysis, you will join Lila's Materials Science team at our Alewife site to help build and run high-throughput workflows for catalyst synthesis, characterization, and performance testing.

You will work hands-on in the lab: preparing catalyst samples, running reactor tests, and analyzing the resulting data for trends in structure, composition, and catalytic performance. You will work alongside scientists, automation engineers, and data scientists, and you will see how experimental work connects to AI-guided materials discovery.

This is a practical, lab-based co-op suited to a graduate student who wants real ownership of experiments and exposure to automated, data-rich science.

What You'll Be Building

• Synthesize heterogeneous catalysts and prepare samples for performance testing
• Run batch and flow reactor tests, measuring activity, selectivity, and stability
• Characterize materials using techniques such as XRD, BET, TGA, or chemisorption
• Analyze experimental data to identify structure and composition trends
• Support automated and high-throughput synthesis workflows with the engineering team
• Document protocols and results, and present findings to the team

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
• Hands-on laboratory experience with materials synthesis or catalyst testing
• Working knowledge of common characterization techniques (XRD, BET, TGA, FTIR, or similar)
• Ability to handle chemicals safely and follow lab safety protocols
• Strong attention to detail in experimental execution and record keeping
• Clear written and verbal communication of experimental results

Bonus Points For

• Experience with batch or flow reactors, or gas sorption measurements
• Exposure to high-throughput experimentation or lab automation platforms
• Data analysis or scripting in Python, R, or MATLAB
• Coursework or research involving zeolites, MOFs, or other porous materials