R&D PhD Summer Intern – Robotics and Autonomous Lab Systems

PGBPGNGLOBAL • Mason, OH

62d • $61 - $61 • Onsite

About The Position

Research and Development (R&D) at Procter & Gamble, the largest consumer packaged goods company in the world, includes a diverse group of roles that contribute to the innovation and development of our products. It encompasses roles in product research, formulation, testing, and scientific analysis. You will find variety and excitement starting Day 1. This internship is specifically designed for individuals working towards a PhD who are developing proficiency in their field. As an intern or co-op in management, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in a supportive environment. This is a 12-week paid internship, designed to provide you with a solid foundation for future career growth. The internship will take place from May (potentially early June) to August of 2026. Join us at P&G, where your contributions will play a vital role in shaping the future of consumer products! P&G R&D is exploring autonomous laboratory systems to accelerate discovery and improve reproducibility. We are seeking a multidisciplinary PhD intern on our corporate function R&D team to help design, implement, and validate a flexible robotic platform that automates multi-step biological workflows. The role combines robotic manipulation, computer vision, control, and data-driven decision-making in a laboratory setting. You will integrate hardware and software, run multi-hour autonomous experiments, and communicate results and recommendations to technical stakeholders. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong eagerness to learn and grow professionally and possess excellent communication skills—both written and verbal. This role is perfect for those with passion for innovation and problem-solving, along with a proactive attitude and the ability to adapt to new challenges. Join us in this dynamic environment, where your contributions will make a real impact as part of a collaborative team!

Requirements

• Education: Working towards a PhD in Robotics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with robotic manipulators and modern robotics software frameworks.
• Strong background in computer vision and/or perception-driven control (visual servoing, object/feature detection).
• Proficiency in Python and experience integrating sensors, microcontrollers, or custom hardware prototypes.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills; ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Available to work a 12-week internship from May/early June to August in the summer of 2026. Ability to work 5 days a week (M-F) in our Mason, OH office.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with laboratory automation workflows (liquid handling, labware handling, sterile techniques).
• Experience working safely in research lab environments with basic biosafety practices.
• Experience with task planning frameworks (behavior trees or state machines) and error detection/recovery.
• Understanding of biological workflows and cell culture principle.

Responsibilities

• Build and integrate a robotic lab platform (arm, end-effector, camera) for precise liquid handling and labware manipulation
• Develop perception and control for visual localization, closed-loop motions, and reliable sterile tool/tip exchange
• Create monitoring pipelines and enable rule-based or planner-driven decisions for autonomous, long-duration runs
• Plan and execute a proof-of-concept; measure performance; document methods and results; operate safely and collaborate cross-functionally

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees