R&D Intern (9-Month)
About The Position
At Plasti-Fab, a Carlisle Company, we’ve been supporting sustainable building for over 50 years with high-quality insulation solutions used in commercial, residential, and infrastructure construction across North America. Now part of Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies (CWT), we’re proud to be contributing to industry-leading innovation, sustainability, and performance. With a strong focus on energy efficiency, labor savings, and re-roofing trends, we’re positioned for continued growth through Carlisle’s Vision 2030 strategy. As a fully vertically integrated EPS manufacturer, our operations span over 50 locations across Canada and North America. Our recent expansions - including in-house resin production and cutting-edge technical labs—underscore our commitment to quality and environmental responsibility. The Research Intern will support the commissioning, operation, and development of a laboratory-scale polymerization reactor. The intern will assist with experimental planning, raw-material preparation, reactor operation under supervision, post-processing, sample characterization, data analysis, and documentation. The role is intended to provide hands-on experience in polymerization, plastics processing, and product-development research.
Requirements
- Ability to perform laboratory chemical reactions under trained supervision and, after demonstrated competency and authorization, carry out defined procedures independently.
- Ability to work independently on approved tasks and collaboratively with the R&D team. Reactor charging, start-up, shutdown, and abnormal-condition response must follow established supervision and lone-work requirements.
- Ability to perform literature research and apply knowledge to real world applications
- Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
- Strong foundational understanding of chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer science, materials science, or related scientific principles.
- Ability to work independently (including working alone when required), as well as in team environment
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Willingness to learn new equipment, processes, and technologies
- Basic computer proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word)
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field.
- Experience in performing chemical reactions in a lab setting
- Experience performing research in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
Nice To Haves
- Prior professional or post-doc laboratory experience in a research setting
- Exposure to polymer processing, compounding, or manufacturing environments
- Interest in materials science, plastics technology, and product development
Responsibilities
- Perform lab polymerization tasks, including material weighing, measuring, and addition of raw materials and chemical ingredients in laboratory scale polymerization runs
- Operate lab scale polymer post-processing equipment including spin driers, sieve shakers, and coating mixers.
- Assist with equipment teardown, cleaning, and reassembly after processing runs
- Accurately record data, processing parameters, and observations during and after laboratory runs
- Follow safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment operation and material handling
- Perform literature and patent research to provide input in product development and formulation initiatives
- Develop understanding of current polymerization process and formulation
- Develop understanding of final product parameters and how these are affected by formulation changes
- Assist in characterization of material properties such as particle size analysis, MWD and conversion rate.
- Develop understanding of physical and chemical testing of raw materials, intermediate products, and final products
- Assist with material and sample pickup and staging as needed
- Contribute to team projects and complete additional tasks as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
