Laboratory Assistant InternPolymer / Organic Chemistry

DTU Campus, Copenhagen (on-site only)Part-timeFood Tech / Coffee Tech / ChemistryStart: February 2026

About Nøla

Nøla is an early-stage deep-tech startup building a reusable molecular filter that removes caffeine from brewed coffee while preserving the original flavor. Our mission is to develop reusable molecular filters that let coffee lovers enjoy any bean, roast, or brew without the caffeine, but with all the original flavor.

You'll join an early-stage startup where your experiments directly influence what ends up in a customer's hands. If you want to see your lab work become a physical product, and enjoy the blend of chemistry, engineering, and coffee, you'll fit right in.

About the Role

We're looking for a hands-on R&D intern who likes structured lab work, careful documentation, and hypothesis-driven tinkering with polymer systems. You'll help us design, synthesize, and test MIPs that selectively bind caffeine from coffee, and you'll own well-defined subprojects rather than just "helping out" in the background.

This is a great opportunity for someone eager to translate polymer science into a functional product and grow in a dynamic startup environment.

Responsibilities

Prepare and optimize polymer formulations (acrylate/methacrylate systems, free-radical polymerization)
Run structured experimental campaigns on MIP vs. NIP performance (capacity, selectivity, regeneration)
Set up and execute uptake/binding experiments in model solutions and, later, real coffee
Use basic analytics (e.g., FTIR, UV-Vis; HPLC is a plus) to quantify caffeine removal and track performance over cycles
Keep the lab workflow organized: stock checks, simple maintenance, and methodical labeling
Document what you did, what you observed, and what you think we should try next—clearly and concisely

You Might Be a Great Fit If You

Are based in Copenhagen/Greater Copenhagen and can be on-site at DTU Skylab regularly
Are in the late stages of a BSc or doing your MSc in polymer chemistry, materials science, applied chemistry, or (bio)chemical engineering
Have taken at least one polymer chemistry course and understand initiator-propagation-termination, crosslinking, and oxygen inhibition. Hands-on polymerization experience beyond just theory
Can reason about crosslinked networks: how monomer:crosslinker ratio, solvent, and temperature affect structure and porosity
Enjoy working in a structured, organized way and care about doing things properly
Are comfortable working independently, owning small projects, and finishing what you start
Like writing short, clear experiment summaries and find satisfaction in reproducible, solid data—even when the work is a bit repetitive

Mindset

You have a creative and innovative mindset for finding solutions to new tasks
You can communicate well in English
Comfortable with independent work, reaching out to specialists to gather information, and able to communicate clearly and confidently

Details

Location: On-site at DTU Skylab
Commitment: Part-time during semester (1-2 days/week)
Start Date: Flexible, ideally Feb 2026

Three months test period. Unpaid internship with possibility of continuation.

What We Offer

Support for creating a special course and earning ECTS
Possibility to link your thesis or project work to Nøla
Practical lab experience with real experiments and a real product
Experience working and communicating in a small, professional startup
Close collaboration with the founding team and exposure to both the technical and commercial side of a deep-tech startup
Access to our network in the startup and coffee community in Copenhagen and EU
A personalized letter of recommendation after the internship
Potential continuation beyond the test period (e.g., extended internship, future paid role if there's a mutual fit and funding)

Join Us

If you love materials that do something—if you enjoy designing, testing, and reasoning your way through chemistry—we'd love to talk.

Please send your CV and a short motivation letter (max 200 words) about why you're interested in polymer-based sensing to:

contact@nolafilters.com

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About Nøla

About the Role

This is a great opportunity for someone eager to translate polymer science into a functional product and grow in a dynamic startup environment.

Responsibilities

Prepare and optimize polymer formulations (acrylate/methacrylate systems, free-radical polymerization)

Run structured experimental campaigns on MIP vs. NIP performance (capacity, selectivity, regeneration)

Set up and execute uptake/binding experiments in model solutions and, later, real coffee

Use basic analytics (e.g., FTIR, UV-Vis; HPLC is a plus) to quantify caffeine removal and track performance over cycles

Keep the lab workflow organized: stock checks, simple maintenance, and methodical labeling

Document what you did, what you observed, and what you think we should try next—clearly and concisely

You Might Be a Great Fit If You

Are based in Copenhagen/Greater Copenhagen and can be on-site at DTU Skylab regularly

Are in the late stages of a BSc or doing your MSc in polymer chemistry, materials science, applied chemistry, or (bio)chemical engineering

Have taken at least one polymer chemistry course and understand initiator-propagation-termination, crosslinking, and oxygen inhibition. Hands-on polymerization experience beyond just theory

Can reason about crosslinked networks: how monomer:crosslinker ratio, solvent, and temperature affect structure and porosity

Enjoy working in a structured, organized way and care about doing things properly

Are comfortable working independently, owning small projects, and finishing what you start

Like writing short, clear experiment summaries and find satisfaction in reproducible, solid data—even when the work is a bit repetitive

Mindset

You have a creative and innovative mindset for finding solutions to new tasks

You can communicate well in English

Comfortable with independent work, reaching out to specialists to gather information, and able to communicate clearly and confidently

What We Offer

Support for creating a special course and earning ECTS

Possibility to link your thesis or project work to Nøla

Practical lab experience with real experiments and a real product

Experience working and communicating in a small, professional startup

Close collaboration with the founding team and exposure to both the technical and commercial side of a deep-tech startup

Access to our network in the startup and coffee community in Copenhagen and EU

A personalized letter of recommendation after the internship

Potential continuation beyond the test period (e.g., extended internship, future paid role if there's a mutual fit and funding)