Intern in Synthetic Biology

About Synanthra

Synanthra is producing fertilizers without fossil fuels. Nitrogen fertilizer production today depends entirely on the Haber-Bosch process, which runs on natural gas and accounts for 2.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Synanthra replaces it with a bioelectrochemical platform: a genetically engineered microorganism that fixes nitrogen directly from air, water, and green electricity.

We are an early-stage start-up on a mission to build a more sustainable agricultural system. If you want to join a pioneering start-up at the intersection of synthetic biology and climate impact, Synanthra is made for you.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an intern in synthetic biology to join our innovative team. Your role will be to help build, optimise and screen a set of strains for bio-electrochemistry experiments producing nitrogen fertilizers. You will gain hands-on experience and the opportunity to work closely with the founding team on a high-impact project.

The position is based in the fablab at Sorbonne University, Jussieu, in central Paris.

Key responsibilities

• Conducting microbiology strain development experiments
• Using molecular biology techniques to characterise the strains
• Performing analytical experiments to validate performance of the strains
• Documenting and reporting all experimental work, observations and analysis to ensure traceability, progress tracking and identification of next steps

Requirements

• Enrolled in a master's or engineering program in biological sciences, synthetic biology, biotechnology, or a related field
• Previous experience in synthetic biology, molecular biology, or microbiology is a plus
• Strong analytical skills and willingness to learn
• Proactive and autonomous once trained
• Good communication skills in English, spoken and written

Hiring process

1. We first check that your skills match expectations.
2. Technical interview with Héloïse, CSO and co-founder of Synanthra.
3. Final fit interview with Cameron, CEO and co-founder of Synanthra.

Duration and format

Six months is the minimum. We would rather have you for longer, so if your school allows a longer placement, or an alternance running across the academic year, tell us in your application and we will work with the format that suits you.

Compensation

This is a paid position. For an internship, the gratification is set out in the convention de stage and is at least the French statutory minimum for placements longer than two months. For an alternance, pay follows the applicable contract rules. The exact amount is confirmed with you and your school before anything is signed.

Start date

The starting date can be as early as September 2026, and we are flexible on the exact start.