R&D Intern - Polymer Composite Formulation & Processing

James Hardie•Wilmington, OH

About The Position

The R&D Intern supports development of polymer composite decking through formulation, processing, testing, and technical evaluation. The intern contributes to laboratory- and production-scale trials, analyzes performance data, and turns technical findings into actionable recommendations for R&D and cross-functional partners. The 12-week paid internship offers hands-on industry experience, professional and technical development, collaboration with experienced professionals, and mentoring. The intern is expected to complete assigned research and evaluations with increasing independence, maintain accurate and traceable records, and deliver a final technical report and capstone presentation covering findings, recommendations, key learnings, and business impact.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in a relevant discipline at an accredited university, with anticipated graduation between December 2027 and May 2029 (rising junior or rising senior).
Minimum GPA of 3.0.
Available to work full-time for 12 weeks during summer 2027.
Reliable transportation to and from the work location.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Target majors include polymer engineering, plastics engineering, materials science, materials engineering, chemical engineering, applied chemistry, or a related field.
Strong interest in polymer materials, product design, and formulation development.
Experience with modeling, simulation, or statistical analysis.
Proficiency with data analysis tools and interest in AI-enabled technologies that support research and decision-making.
Strong technical writing, reporting, presentation, and communication skills.
Self-motivated, analytical, and eager to learn in a hands-on R&D environment.

Responsibilities

Complete technical literature reviews and benchmarking studies related to polymer composites, formulations, processing, and product performance.
Support additive screening and evaluation, including collecting, interpreting, and comparing data.
Contribute ideas and technical insights during project discussions and problem-solving activities.
Participate in planning laboratory-scale and production-scale trials.
Attend laboratory and plant trials to collect processing data, document observations, and gather test samples.
Follow safety, quality, and laboratory best practices.
Maintain accurate experimental records, organize test data, and ensure traceability of results.
Analyze experimental results using appropriate statistical and engineering methods.
Prepare clear, concise, technically sound reports with actionable recommendations.
Present project findings to R&D and cross-functional teams, including Operations, Quality, and Engineering.
Deliver a final technical report and capstone presentation summarizing findings, recommendations, key learnings, and business impact.