R&D PhD Summer Intern – Polymer Synthesis

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Job Description

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 2027.  Join us at P&G, where your contributions will play a vital role in shaping the future of consumer products!

The Opportunity:

This PhD internship will focus on understanding structure-property relationships in polymeric materials as part of our Corporate Function R&D team. The intern will synthesize and characterize well-defined polymer systems, investigate how molecular architecture influences material behavior, and generate experimental data to evaluate and refine computational model predictions.

The intern will work closely with both experimental polymer scientists and computational modelers, gaining experience at the interface of materials development and simulation. By integrating experimental and modeling approaches, the assignment will address fundamental questions in polymer science while supporting active industrial materials innovation efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Synthesis of a series of polymer materials with controlled molecular architectures using established internal and published methods.
  • Structural characterization of synthesized materials using relevant analytical techniques.
  • Preparation and testing of materials to evaluate key physical and mechanical properties.
  • Comparison of experimental results with computational model predictions to assess model accuracy and identify opportunities for refinement.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• • Working toward a PhD in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated expertise in a broad range of polymer synthesis and modification techniques, including the functionalization of polysaccharides and other natural materials.
  • Ability to independently select, execute, and interpret polymer characterization methods, including NMR, SEC/GPC, FTIR, rheology, thermal analysis, and related analytical methods.
  • Experience preparing and testing materials to evaluate physical, mechanical, and performance properties.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently plan and execute laboratory research, including polymer synthesis, characterization, data analysis, and interpretation.
  • Ability to troubleshoot experimental challenges and solve complex technical problems.
  • Experience documenting, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating scientific data and results.
  • Ability to work onsite at our Mason Business and Innovation Center a minimum of 3-5 days per week.

Preferred Qualifications:

• • Familiarity with polymer physics, soft materials, molecular modeling, molecular simulation, coarse-grained modeling, self-consistent field theory, or other computational approaches used to predict polymer structure-property relationships is beneficial.
  • Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment spanning experimental and computational research.
  • Proficiency with Python-based scientific computing and data analysis tools for processing, visualizing, and interpreting experimental and computational datasets.

Just so you know:

At P&G, we believe that diverse experiences help build strong leaders. Mobility is a key component of many management careers, providing opportunities to grow through different assignments, locations, and business challenges. Candidates should be prepared to consider relocation opportunities throughout their career as business needs and development opportunities arise. 

Compensation for roles at P&G varies depending on a wide array of non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, degree/credentials, relevant skill set, and level of relevant experience. At P&G compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Total rewards at P&G include salary + bonus (if applicable) + benefits.  Your recruiter may be able to share more about our total rewards offerings and the specific salary range for the relevant location(s) during the hiring process.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Immigration Sponsorship is not available for this role. For more information regarding who is eligible for hire at P&G along with other work authorization FAQ’s, please click HERE.

Procter & Gamble participates in E-Verify.

Qualified individuals will not be disadvantaged based on being unemployed. 

P&G is dedicated to meeting the needs of applicants requesting an accommodation/adjustment due to a disability in order to complete the online application process.  If you have a disability that affects your ability to complete our online application process, please visit our Disability Accommodation Page.

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