R&D Intern - Waterbased and Polymers

What you can expect from H.B. Fuller's Internship Program: 

You’ll be joining a cohort of talented students from a variety of schools across the U.S. We hire interns into the following positions: Process Engineering, R&D, Strategic Sourcing, Technical Sales, Supply Chain, Product Marketing, Information Technology, and more. 

The projects we task our interns to lead are impactful and meaningful to our organization. You’ll be supported by your Manager and Mentor to gain in-depth knowledge of the adhesive industry and collaborate with various departments and functions. We also offer an established path for next-level opportunities - making this internship the starting point for a long-term career path. 

Internship Location: Simpsonville, SC. 

Our Internship Experience includes: 

12-week paid program beginning the end of May to mid-August to gain insight and knowledge in your field. 

Interactive orientation and events with skilled professionals in your field, including managers, directors, and CEO. 

Multiple networking, volunteer and fun events – both virtual and in-person. 

Impactful projects that make a difference internally and externally for H.B. Fuller. 

End of summer final presentation to showcase your career development with support from managers and peers. 

Position Overview:

The R&D Summer Intern position will support research and development activities focused on a fast paced and strategic market within the HHC business unit. This role provides support to the waterbased/polymer team in Simpsonville, SC.

The goal for this position will be to:

There is currently a large market shift to replace polyethylene paper coatings with more sustainable materials that are able to provide high levels of barrier protection, but are also able to be recycled, repulped, and/or composted.  This internship will focus on increasing the level of water, oxygen, and oil/grease protection within our product portfolio by scouting for high performing raw materials and synthesizing new polymers. 

This internship will provide opportunities to learn performance testing, polymer synthesis, waterbased coating formulation, and industrial processes to produce these materials. 

Primary Duties:

In general, the individual will be responsible for:

Preparing, applying and performing various tests to understand the performance of coating samples

Performing quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine the chemical and physical properties of materials to determine that formulations are able to meet the required targets

Assist with developmental improvements of current products by evaluating new materials, reformulations, and synthesizing new polymers

Fulfilling the responsibilities required to maintain a safe work environment when using individual and community workspaces

Required Qualifications:

Rising Senior in pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Material Science, or related field

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience designing and synthesizing waterbased polymers

Good verbal and written communication skills

Aptitude with instrumentation and computers