Co-op, Materials R&D

Co-op, Materials R&D

Location: Boston, MA (Hood Park, Charlestown)

Schedule: Monday - Friday

About the Company

Mori is a fast-paced anti-food waste Series B startup on a mission to create “More Food, Less Waste”, by transforming the food, agriculture, and packaging industries. Leveraging the unique properties of silk protein, Mori creates an all-natural food ingredient and coating which slows down the spoiling process of perishable foods. Our products can be integrated at any time from farm to shelf, allowing food producers, processors, and retailers to deliver more and higher-quality food to consumers.

With Mori Silk, we can fundamentally change the food system by reducing our reliance on plastic packaging, reducing food and packaging waste, and increasing efficiency across the supply chain. We are a team of passionate people who never stop learning and believe in our collective ability to have a positive impact on the world by delivering on our mission.

What You'll Do

Mori is seeking a full-time (40 hr/week) Co-op to join our Materials R&D team. Co-ops who join us will have the following responsibilities (which are subject to change):

●  Preparing samples and conducting experiments that test silk’s ability to extend shelf life and improve quality of foods under the guidance of research associates and scientists

●  Collecting, organizing, and analyzing data using spreadsheets and tools like JMP

●  Supporting lab operations by executing routine lab-tasks

●  Practicing science translation by connecting results to real world impact

●  Developing science communication skills by clearly communicating results to cross-functional stakeholders

Co-op Project Description

Join the Materials R&D team to characterize silk and unlock its potential for a variety of applications. Contribute to pioneering product development projects aimed at fostering innovation and curbing food and packaging waste in the food system.

Example projects include:

●  Characterize how silk’s coating properties change under different conditions posed by a food product or the processing of that product (e.g. pH, temperature, shear)

●  Determine whether silk’s barrier performance (dehydration and oxidation prevention) can be maintained when applied to a variety of substrates

●  Assess what factors can prolong or reduce the shelf life of our silk product

●  Create benchtop versions of coating processes (e.g. spraying), observe how silk behaves within that system, and apply learnings for optimized silk usage downstream

●  Develop characterization methods to better assess silk properties for our applications

Requirements

●  H.S. degree or equivalent education

●  Currently pursuing a B.S. / B.A. degree in biological engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related discipline

●  Strong attention to detail and accuracy when conducting experiments, recording data, and following protocols

●  Ability to maintain a well-organized and clean workspace

●  Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite