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Founders' Associate in Biotech (Internship)

AKIN

Delft
Intern
0-2 years experience
On-site

€600 - €850 per month

Key Skills

Analytical Skills
Business Case Modeling
Market Research
Pricing Analysis
Fundraising Support
Business Development
Strategic Planning
Structured Communication
Interviewing
Project Management
Financial Modeling
Customer Research
Technical Support
Marketing
English Fluency

Job Description

NOTE: We receive many applications for this internship, so we only consider candidates who meet all five: (To be) enrolled in an MSc or MBA programme at the start of the internship at a Dutch university, or at a university ranked in the top 200 by at least two of Times Higher Education, QS and ShanghaiRanking. A STEM background (chemistry, biotechnology, materials, mechanical engineering, process technology or econometrics), or a business background with proven technical experience. Familiarity with strategy consulting or entrepreneurship. For example, through a previous internship, a minor, or a student project. Fluent English. Dutch is advantageous. About AKIN AKIN is a Dutch Biotech start-up developing a novel enzymatic platform for rubber recycling (Kinfinity). We convert end-of-life rubber, including devulcanised rubber feedstock, into high-value chemical products and materials, targeting applications in tyres and industrial rubber goods. Apply through our website: https://akin.bio/careers/business-analyst-intern The Role We are looking for a Founders' Associate to work directly with our founders on the questions that will shape AKIN's next steps: which customers and partners to prioritise, and how to fund the next stage. You will own projects from the first question to the final recommendation, and your work will be used in real conversations with customers, partners and investors. You will also support the founders' ongoing fundraising and business development. Key Responsibilities 1 large business case project. For example focused on building the model behind commercial, funding or R&D strategy, from market size and pricing to the economics of scaling up. Supporting and strategising towards our upcoming fundraise Taking on ad-hoc strategic and operational work that lands on the founders' desk; depending on your background, this can range from business development to tech support to marketing. Overall business development support. Preparing and joining interviews with tyre and rubber-goods manufacturers, and turning each conversation into clear findings on their requirements, testing volumes and timelines. We Bring Direct work with the founders, and responsibility for real decisions from your first week. Daily coaching and a growth path shaped around your ambitions. A view of every side of an early-stage deep-tech company: technology, customers, investors and operations. A company that is scaling, with ample room to grow, take on new projects, and influence its development direction. The opportunity to make a direct impact on sustainability in the rubber and tyre industries. A flexible work environment that focuses on what empowers you but also expects personal accountability. A place where employees are valued regardless of background, beliefs, or identity. You Bring All five points in "Who can apply" above, plus: Strong analytical skills for investigating and building a model Drive to improve on structured communication, to turn research and interview notes into short, decision-ready documents and slides Advantageous None of these is a strict requirement. Familiarity with the rubber, tyre, chemicals or recycling industries Experience speaking with subject matter experts and investors, and running several projects at once Terms of the role Compensation: €600 to €850 per month, depending on experience, plus travel reimbursement. Duration and start: four to six months, ideally six. Open on a rolling basis: you can start in any of the coming quarters. Location: 80% on-site in Delft. Visa sponsorship: not available for this internship. Work authorisation: required, see "Who can apply" above. How to apply Apply through our website: https://akin.bio/careers/business-analyst-intern If your application meets the role's stated requirements, you will hear back from us. We interview on a rolling basis. Because we receive many applications, we reply once we have filled the place for the quarter you chose, rather than within two weeks.

Core Responsibilities

Develop a major business case covering commercial, funding, or R&D strategy, including market size, pricing, and scale-up economics. Support fundraising and business development, interview manufacturers, synthesize customer requirements, and take on strategic and operational projects for the founders.

Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in an MSc or MBA program at the start of the internship at a qualifying university, have a STEM background or a business background with proven technical experience, and demonstrate familiarity with strategy consulting or entrepreneurship. Fluent English and strong analytical and structured communication skills are required; Dutch and experience in relevant industries or with experts and investors are advantageous.

Benefits

  • Travel Reimbursement
  • Daily Coaching
  • Flexible Work Environment
  • Professional Growth Opportunities

About AKIN

Industry: Biotechnology Research

Company size: 2-10 employees

AKIN (previously Akin Solutions) is developing Kinfinity™, a platform for recovering individual materials from complex end-of-life streams. Starting with end-of-life tyres, meaning rubber, carbon black and isoprenoids. Vulcanised rubber cannot be melted back, so recovering it means separating a mixture rather than remelting a material. Through Kinfinity Recovery, AKIN is developing enzymatic separation of shredded rubber into virgin-like rubber, recovered carbon black (rCB) and isoprenoid co-products, designed to integrate at the end of existing recycling lines. AKIN's Kinfinity Imaging services provide molecular characterisation of rubber materials to recyclers and compounders. AKIN's proprietary enzyme variants have demonstrated breakdown of polyisoprene at benchtop scale. Work on end-of-life tyre material is ongoing. Founded in 2023, AKIN is based at Biotech Campus Delft in the Netherlands. akin.bio

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