R&D Intern - Global Rigid Packaging

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

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: St. Paul, MN

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 intern will support the Global Rigid Packaging R&D team. The research of the intern will be guided by a Senior Scientist and will focus on characterizing and documenting the performance of one of our global product lines including product performance, costing, and manufacturing efficiency. 

 
Primary Responsibilities:

To assist the business, we need to focus on product line management globally. Critical to this initiative is the comparative assessment of (internal & external) global products and where needed – the development of new test methods that show differentiation between our current products and competitive products.  We need to complete benchmark testing, using current and new test methods.  We also need to work with analytical to understand the composition and performance of products.

• Comply with safe laboratory practices and assist in the compliance with all safety and environmental rules, regulations and procedures. 

• Meeting research goals within time and budget constraints 

• Thermal, rheological, and other physical property characterization techniques (adhesion, SAFT/PAFT, heat stress, etc.) 

• Work with the PLM team to assess costing (RM and manufacturing) across the product F4P line. 

• Potential to formulate modified versions of the existing products to enhance efficiencies and/or reduce costs. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Rising senior pursuing a BA/BS in Material Science, Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering is required.

• Preference will be given for candidates with prior industry experience in an R&D role or in a academic research lab.  

Physical Environment:

• Most of the work will be in laboratory environment.

• Personal protective equipment is required for all lab work.

• The intern will be required