This is a paid internship position.

The Project Assistant (Internship) at ZIROBIO plays a key supporting role in our international R&D and production collaborations. Working closely with the Project Manager and Co-founders, this role helps coordinate communication between universities, research labs, and manufacturing partners in Estonia.

Success in this position means proactively managing communication, organizing project documentation, and ensuring smooth progress across different stages—from research to production. You’ll contribute directly to ZIROBIO’s mission of transforming coffee waste into next-generation bio-based materials and sustainable products.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sustainable innovation, project coordination, and cross-cultural teamwork within a fast-growing circular economy startup.

Responsibilities

• Assist the company in establishing connections with universities and laboratories, supporting communication and documentation for research collaborations.
• Collect R&D requirements and quotation information, and participate in project planning and follow-up.
• Support the company in identifying potential manufacturing partners, cafés, and coffee factories, and organize partnership resources.
• Communicate with manufacturers regarding sampling progress and production details, and follow up on quality feedback.
• Organize project files, contracts, progress records, and reports, and support the company and marketing team in content management.

Qualifications

• Fluent in both English and Chinese for professional communication; Estonian language skills are a plus.
• Academic background in Engineering, Materials Science, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Industrial Design, Sustainability, or related fields.
• Prior experience in research collaboration, project management, or production coordination is preferred.
• Proficient with mainstream office software and AI tools.
• Strong communication and execution skills with the ability to proactively follow up and push tasks to completion.
• Genuine interest in circular economy, bio-materials, sustainable innovation, and coffee.