Porsgrunn Summer Intern Characterization of calcium nitrate salt mixtures

We at Yara are part of a global network, collaborating to profitably and responsibly solve some of the world's key challenges - resource scarcity, food insecurity and environmental change.
About the Unit

Mastering technology has always been key to the commercial success of Yara’s products. Yara’s Technology center, located in Porsgrunn, Norway, is a vital contributor to this success. At the Technology center we are working to improve existing processes and technologies as well as developing new and innovative solutions for processes and products.

We are now looking for students to work on our interesting summer projects. For this position, the work will be linked to ongoing projects in the Product Quality and Development Department, within the field of product development for fertilizer products.

Fertilizers are typically produced by solidifying molten salt mixtures into particles through granulation or prilling. Developing new fertilizer products requires a thorough understanding of the physical properties of these mixtures. Preliminary studies of calcium nitrate-based salt mixtures indicate that they can remain liquid even below their melting point due to supercooling, making effective particle formation difficult.

This project will focus on the formulation, characterization, and evaluation of various calcium nitrate salt mixtures. The investigation aims to study the super-cooling effects and potential solutions to minimize them. The main part of the work will consist of practical laboratory tasks.

Responsibilities

The tasks will include, but are not limited to:

- Literature review, theoretical studies

- Laboratory work:

- Preparation of salt mixtures/salt melts

- Characterization of the mixtures with XRD and DSC

- Training will be provided

- Reporting and presentation in English

Profile

- A 3rd or 4th year student pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, or process chemistry

- Practical experience with working safely in a laboratory is an advantage

- A person that is self-driven, responsible, and able to communicate in a diverse work environment

- Fluent in English, a Scandinavian language will be an advantage

Additional Information

The project will last for 6-8 weeks from June to August 2027.

Location: Porsgrunn, Norway.

Contact details

Solveig Rørkjær, Department Director Product Quality and Development

Email: solveig.rorkjar@yara.com

Phone: +47 91697802

Mathis Antlauf, Senior Research Engineer

Email: mathis.antlauf@yara.com

Phone: +47 93078447

Apply no later than

19.November 2026

Knowledge grows through differences
Yara is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is not only the right thing, but also the smart thing to do. To deliver on this, Yara has firmly anchored Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) in our business strategy and has more than 400 employees worldwide involved in D&I ambassadors networks.

As part of our recruitment process, where permitted by local law, we may conduct reference and background checks. These checks will only be performed when deemed necessary for the nature of the job. Candidates will be informed by HR before any background checks are initiated.