Atmospheric Water Harvesting Internship Application

Join the Future of Water Technology

Access to clean water is one of humanity's greatest challenges. As climate change intensifies and water scarcity affects billions worldwide, innovative solutions are critical. Our Atmospheric Water Harvesting Internship Program offers ambitious students and early-career researchers the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of materials engineering, condensation physics, and climate adaptation technology.

This internship is designed for individuals passionate about solving real-world problems through scientific innovation. Whether you're studying materials science, mechanical engineering, environmental technology, or related fields, you'll gain hands-on experience developing technologies that literally pull water from thin air—transforming atmospheric moisture into clean, drinkable water for communities in water-scarce regions.

What Makes This Internship Unique

Unlike traditional engineering internships, our program combines rigorous materials research with field deployment in desert climates, giving you both laboratory and real-world experience. You'll work alongside leading researchers in:

• Advanced materials engineering – developing hydrophilic surfaces, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and novel coating technologies that maximize water capture efficiency
• Condensation physics – understanding nucleation dynamics, thermal gradients, and vapor-to-liquid phase transitions at the microscale
• Desert climate adaptation – testing prototypes in extreme temperature swings, low humidity conditions, and challenging environmental factors
• Sustainable water solutions – designing scalable, energy-efficient systems that can operate off-grid in the world's most water-stressed regions

You'll contribute to active research projects, publish findings, and potentially see your work deployed in communities across the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the American Southwest.

Who Should Apply

We're looking for motivated individuals with strong technical foundations and a genuine commitment to climate solutions. Ideal candidates include:

• Graduate and undergraduate students in materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, or physics
• Recent graduates seeking research experience before pursuing advanced degrees
• Early-career professionals pivoting into climate technology and water innovation
• International applicants with relevant research backgrounds

Whether you've published research papers or simply have a passion for solving water scarcity through engineering, we encourage you to apply.

The Internship Experience

Our program runs for 12-16 weeks with options for both full-time and part-time engagement depending on academic schedules. Interns work in our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and may have opportunities for field research in partnership sites.

Research activities include:

• Synthesizing and characterizing novel water-harvesting materials
• Running controlled condensation experiments and analyzing performance data
• Computational modeling of moisture capture under various atmospheric conditions
• Prototype development, testing, and iteration
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams on system integration

Professional development includes:

• Weekly seminars with industry leaders and academic researchers
• Training in advanced characterization techniques (SEM, XRD, contact angle measurement, etc.)
• Mentorship from senior researchers and principal investigators
• Networking opportunities with climate tech investors and NGOs
• Potential co-authorship on research publications

We believe in creating pathways for talented individuals regardless of financial barriers. Stipends, housing assistance, and relocation support are available for qualifying candidates.

How Paperform Streamlines Our Application Process

We've built this application using Paperform because it allows us to efficiently evaluate candidates while respecting your time. Unlike clunky academic portals or endless email chains, Paperform lets us create a thoughtful, on-brand application that collects everything we need—transcripts, research statements, references, and technical background—in one streamlined submission.

The conditional logic in our form means you only answer questions relevant to your background, and our team receives applications in a structured format that makes fair, thorough review possible. For research programs receiving hundreds of applications, this efficiency matters—it means we can focus on evaluating your ideas and potential rather than wrestling with administrative overhead.

Once you submit, you'll receive an automatic confirmation, and our team can route your application to the appropriate research group based on your stated interests. If we need additional materials or want to schedule an interview, we can follow up quickly using the contact information you provide.

For teams managing complex applications with technical requirements, document uploads, and diverse candidate pools, Paperform provides a professional, conversion-optimized solution that works beautifully on mobile and desktop—critical when attracting international applicants across time zones and devices.

Next Steps After Applying

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to early submissions. Our selection committee includes principal investigators, senior researchers, and program coordinators who evaluate candidates holistically based on academic preparation, research interests alignment, and demonstrated commitment to water sustainability.

Selected candidates will be invited for virtual interviews, which typically include a technical discussion about your research experience and a presentation of a brief problem-solving exercise. Final offers are extended approximately 2-4 weeks after interview completion.

We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive research community. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM, international students, and individuals from water-scarce regions who bring lived experience to our mission.

Ready to apply? Complete the form below and take the first step toward contributing to technologies that could provide clean water to millions. We're excited to learn about your background, interests, and vision for solving one of the world's most pressing challenges.

For questions about the program, technical requirements, or application process, please include them in the additional comments section of your application. Our team reviews all inquiries and will respond within 5 business days.

Join us in making atmospheric water harvesting a reality for communities worldwide. Your research could change lives.