Research & Development Adhesives Intern (Multiple)

Position Overview:

Join our Adhesives R&D team as an intern and gain hands-on experience in the formulation, pilot processing, and testing of adhesives for the commercial roofing industry. You’ll work with solvent-based contact adhesives, sprayable adhesives, and pressure-sensitive adhesives. Collaborating closely with production facilities and cross-functional teams, you’ll drive innovation in new product development, quality improvement, sustainability, and process optimization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Formulation & Testing: Mix and formulate adhesives in the lab, including solvent-based and pressure-sensitive adhesives. Prepare samples for physical property testing using lab equipment such as the Instron tensiometer.
• Rheology & Chemistry: Develop rheological methods and conduct laboratory wet chemistry experiments, such as extractions and solvent swelling.
• Collaboration & Trials: Work with R&D product teams, the analytical group, and production facilities to arrange scale-up trials, collect materials samples, and implement quality control programs.
• Data & Reporting: Accurately report lab methods, test results, and trial observations, and participate in cross-functional R&D meetings with production, suppliers, purchasing, and marketing teams.
• Innovation & Impact: Contribute to projects with a focus on new product development, quality improvement, sustainability, and process optimization.

Qualifications:

• Academic Background: Third-year undergraduate student or higher at an accredited college or university, pursuing a degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
• Coursework: Completed coursework in general and organic chemistry (12 credit hours), general physics (6 credit hours), and mathematics. Familiarity with statistical methods and analytical chemistry techniques is desirable.
• Skills: Strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Experience with lab equipment and analytical methods is a plus.