Role: Thermochemical Intern

Reporting Manager: Operations Engineer / Maintenance Lead

Position Type: Internship

Compensation: As per industry standard

Location: Chandpura (Tohana), Haryana, India

Duration:6 Months

We are seeking a curious and driven Thermo-chemical Intern to join Takachar's process development and operations team. You will work on the thermo-chemical conversion of crop and forest residues - torrefaction, pyrolysis and carbonization - into valuable bio-products such as biochar, bio-fertilizers and activated carbon.

The role spans four connected areas: analytical lab testing, hands-on operation of our proprietary reactors, first-principles modelling of the process, and real-world validation at rural field sites. Expect significant time working in rural environments, bridging design concepts with practical thermal design, operation and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities:

Thermo-chemical Process Development & Optimization

- Learn to operate our proprietary reactors and assist in R&D; experimentation, trials and process optimization
- Support development of process parameters - temperature, residence time, heating rate, air/fuel ratio and feedstock composition - to maximize bio-product yield and quality
- Conduct lab- and pilot-scale experiments to evaluate and improve thermo-chemical reaction pathways
- Help develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new and existing processes
- Contribute to scaling up lab processes to pilot and field-scale systems

Lab Testing, Analysis & Characterization

- Conduct quality assessments, moisture analysis and proximate analysis on biomass feedstocks and bio-product outputs
- Perform characterization tests covering ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, calorific value, pH and bulk density; support ultimate analysis where available
- Operate and maintain lab instruments such as muffle furnaces, moisture analyzers, bomb calorimeters, balances, titration setups and gas analyzers
- Analyze process and flue gas emissions (CO, CO2, VOCs) and support emissions compliance evaluation
- Maintain high standards of data integrity - every sample traceable, every reading verifiable

Modelling & Data-driven Simulation

- Build physics-driven, first-principles models of the process from operating conditions and experimental results
- Model heat and mass transfer, drying and devolatilization behavior, and reaction kinetics inside the reactor
- Close energy and mass balances across the system and flag where measured data and model predictions diverge
- Validate and iteratively refine models against experimental and field data, and use them to propose the next set of operating conditions to test

Field Work & Real-world Validation

- Willingness to work in field environments including rural biomass collection sites and industrial processing locations
- Support installation, commissioning and monitoring of thermo-chemical processing units at field sites
- Collect field samples and performance data for lab analysis and process benchmarking




- Collaborate with local operators and customers to understand feedstock variability and processing requirements
- Adapt process recommendations to field constraints such as feedstock availability, ambient conditions and equipment limitations

Documentation & Reporting

- Maintain rigorous, time-bound logs of daily operations, research observations and experimental results
- Keep detailed lab notebooks and experimental records that another engineer can reproduce from
- Compile and interpret analytical data into test reports and performance summaries
- Document field observations and contribute to improvement reports for process and product quality

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience

- Currently pursuing or recently completed a B.Tech / M.Tech in Mechanical, Thermal, Energy, Environmental, Rural Technology, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or a related field
- Coursework or project experience in thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, combustion, or energy system design
- Prior lab internship or project work involving thermal or chemical experiments, process testing, or analytical methods is a plus
- Academic or personal portfolio demonstrating hands-on experimental, operational or process-related projects
- Technical Skills
- Thermal & Reaction Engineering: Foundational understanding of heat transfer, thermal energy system design, combustion and pyrolysis fundamentals, reaction kinetics and basic reactor design principles
- Analytical Techniques: Familiarity with proximate / ultimate analysis, calorimetry, titration, gas analysis or similar lab techniques
- Lab Instrumentation: Hands-on experience with furnaces, balances, moisture analyzers, thermocouples, pressure gauges, flow meters and pH meters
- Modelling & Software Tools: Proficiency in MS Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis; exposure to Python, MATLAB or Aspen Plus is a strong bonus
- Process Documentation: Ability to create SOPs, data logs and test reports clearly and systematically, and proficiency in IT tools for qualified reporting
- Safety Awareness: Understanding of lab and high-temperature equipment safety protocols, PPE use and hazardous material handling

Experimental & Field Skills

- Prototyping Mindset: Eagerness to build, test and refine lab-scale setups and experimental rigs
- Experimental Design: Ability to plan structured experiments with clear variables, controls and measurement protocols
- Instrumentation: Comfort working with temperature sensors, flow meters, pressure gauges and sampling equipmen
- Field Readiness: Willingness and ability to work in rural, outdoor or industrial field environments
- Problem-Solving: Practical troubleshooting of lab equipment, process deviations and unexpected results

Soft Skills

- Adaptability:



Comfortable in an early-stage startup where goals can shift daily based on testing outcomes
- Communication: Fluent in English (reading and speaking); able to coordinate effectively with diverse teams across engineering, field and business functions
- Problem-Solving: A curious mindset with a proactive rather than reactive approach to technical hurdles
- Rigor: Strong documentation habits and the ability to communicate findings through written reports and presentations
- Resourcefulness: Collaborative, open to feedback and effective in environments with limited resources or equipment
- ·Integrity: Committed to safety, accuracy and scientific honesty in all lab, operational and field activities

Preferred Qualifications (Bonus)

- Exposure to biomass conversion technologies such as pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification or com

posting Knowledge of biochar characterization standards (e.g. IBI, EBC) or soil amendment applications.
- Familiarity with circular economy, life cycle assessment (LCA) or sustainability frameworks.
- Prior experience working in rural or resource-constrained environments.
- Understanding of emission standards and regulatory compliance for thermal and chemical processing.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

You are an engineering student or fresh graduate with a genuine passion for sustainable energy systems and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. You enjoy the rigor of lab work as much as the unpredictability of the field, and you are equally at home running a proximate analysis at the bench, nursing a reactor through a full burn cycle, and sanity-checking a heat balance against the data that comes back. You are not afraid to get your hands dirty - whether that means weighing crucibles or collecting biomass samples at a rural farm.

You learn quickly, document carefully, and bring a positive, collaborative energy to every challenge.

What We Offer:

- Competitive stipend reflects your skills and the impact of the role.
- A chance to be at the forefront of global climate action, on technology with measurable environmental and social impact
- Mentorship from experienced engineers and scientists in a mission-driven organization
- A strong learning curve with laboratory, pilot-scale and field exposure across diverse geographies
- Health benefits, continuing education credits and paid parental leave
- A culture that invests in your professional development and rewards curiosity, with potential for a full-time offer based on performance

How to Apply:

Please send your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]. In your cover letter, please specifically address:

A specific project where you managed operations or ran an experimental campaign - what were your key learnings?

Your long-term career goals and how this internship helps you achieve them.

Takachar (Himalayan Sustainable Energy Solutions Private Limited) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis or perception of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other consideration made unlawful by central government, state government, or local law.

📌 Thermochemical Intern (Tohana)
🏢 Takachar
📍 Tohana