R&D Intern — Materials Science / Polymer Processing

About KUORI

KUORI is a Swiss deep-tech materials startup developing next-generation biobased and recyclable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for industrial and high-performance applications. Built on upcycled food industry by-products — including olive pits and walnut shells — KUORI's proprietary BIOWA platform replaces fossil-based TPU, EVA and rubber with materials that offer performance at a fraction of the environmental footprint. Recognised by the EU Horizon programme and awarded Renewable Material of the Year 2023, KUORI operates at TRL 8–9 on its core grades and is entering its commercial scale-up phase.

The Role

KUORI is looking for an R&D Intern / Part-time Student to work hands-on in our Schlieren lab. You will run experiments, characterise materials, and contribute to formulations that go directly to customers.

You will work closely with our R&D team. The right candidate is curious, systematic, and comfortable in a lab that moves fast.

What You Will Do

• Support with the processing of bio-based composite materials (compounding, mixing, extrusion)
• Characterise mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties
• Document results and analyse data
• Contribute to R&D documentation and support in establishing operating procedures
• Work directly with the R&D team and, where relevant, with commercial and sustainability leads

Your Profile

You enjoy lab work and hands-on tasks, you are curious and like working on several projects at the same time, you thrive in an environment where the developed material ends up in real products.

What You Bring

• Academic background: BSc or MSc in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, or a related field — or in your final year.
• Hands-on lab experience: comfortable with equipment, not just theoretical concepts. Prior work with compounding and/or thermoplastic characterisation such as tensile testing, abrasion measurements, DSC is a strong plus.
• Analytical mindset: structured documentation and a systematic approach to experimental design.
• Language: good spoken and written English for lab reports and documentation. German is a plus.

What We Offer

• Gain hands-on experience in a lab
• Work on sustainable materials that are used in real industrial products
• Small team, direct access to R&D leads and founders
• EU-funded research environment with international partners (Horizon / Eurostars)
• Lab and office in Schlieren (ZH) — partial remote possible for non-lab days upon agreement

Practical Details

Location: Schlieren, Zurich — lab-based.
Duration: >6 months. Suitable for a part-time position alongside the studies (min. 40%)
Start: Flexible — ideally September 2026.
Compensation: Paid internship. Amount by agreement.

Don't wait until your CV is perfect — send us a short intro and tell us what you've worked on in the lab.