R&D Formulation Assistant

Job Description

Fixing is good. We believe in the power of imagination to beat our throwaway culture. Our founder, designer Jane ni Dhulchaointigh invented Sugru, the world’s first mouldable glue technology, to fuel a new generation of doers and help get the world fixing and making again. Today there are more than 2 million people around the world fixing with Sugru!

Our core technology relies on highly viscous silicone polymer formulations involving dense particle suspensions whose rheology is closely linked to both manufacturing and the quality of the final product. The intern will be based in the R&D group and will be working closely with a material scientist, a chemist, a chemical engineer, and a mechanical engineer. The R&D team undertakes a range of new product development projects, including assembly of new formulations from scratch, improvements to existing formulations and processes and adapting them for specific applications.

The intern will spend most of their time in our R&D laboratories on-site while performing data process and analysis remotely. This will be a 6­month part­time internship with focus on the development and characterisation of silicone adhesive formulations with modified rheology and flowability by controlling particle properties and interactions and gain first­hand experience on how these parameters affect the extrusion process and properties of the end ­product.

There will be scope to find an R&D project that suits the interests and aptitude of the intern from within the range of current areas of chemistry and materials development projects. Possible topics of research and development projects relate to a wide range of areas of chemistry including:

• evaluation of new candidate materials to control properties such as flowability and adhesion (applied chemistry);
• development of mineral filler systems (inorganic),
• test method development for extrudability (analytical),
• cure kinetics and improvement of stability and shelf life (physical)
• and functionalisation of polymers (organic)

Further details of potential project areas can be explored during the interview stage.

This internship is funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry. FormFormForm have undertaken placement projects, sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry with undergraduate chemistry students since 2016 and these projects have already made a significant impact on our formulation development work. The company also works closely with the Silicone Technology R&D group of tesa SE, a global adhesive tape manufacturer for industrial, consumer and construction use. The intern will have an opportunity to participate in this collaboration. Full training on the materials used in the formulations, specialised laboratory techniques and use of state-of-the-art testing equipment will be provided. The R&D group meet weekly to review current progress and challenges and have a very strong team spirit, extending from work to social/virtual activities.

Learning Outcomes

• Development of formulations: the chemical and process strategies used to put a formulation together.
• Design of experiments: systematic approaches to planning of experiments to determine which factors are important in achieving the desired properties.
• Evaluation techniques: the relationship between simple test methods and more exhaustive standard approaches to chemical analysis, and measurement of end-use performance of materials. Learn to use different analytical techniques, such as rheometer, plastometer, tensile tester, accelerated life testing, etc.
   
• Process optimisation in manufacturing: Develop and implement improvement strategies for ideal formulations, particle sizes, extrusion speed, extrusion force and development of test methods for quantifying extrudability. Learn how to link analytical lab measurements to real industrial manufacturing applications.

• Safe working and good laboratory practice: working safely and tidily with other team members in shared-use lab areas. Gaining understanding of Personal Protective Equipment and safe handling of chemicals. Writing Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures.
   
• Recording of data: experience with using laboratory notebooks, keeping computer records, data/statistical analysis, and reporting/presenting summaries of results to the rest of the R&D team.

Requirements

• BSc, MSc or PhD Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or other relevant subject, graduated within the last 3 calendar years. We believe this would also be a great opportunity for people returning to work after a maternity leave or career break.
• Not currently in full time education.
• Good understanding of basic lab equipment.
• Computer literate in standard MS office and G Suite tools.
• Proven ability to communicate scientific messages with accuracy and clarity.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and quick to learn.
• Contribute ideas and suggestions towards lab operations and R&D.

Additional Information

Our global HQ is in Hackney in East London. The area is a hub of creative companies and start-ups, and home to the highest concentration of artists in Europe. Housed in a renovated Victorian factory building, you’ll find our factory, laboratories, creative studio and offices all here together. London Fields and Broadway Market are within walking distance and the nearest stations are Hackney Central (10 minute walk), London Fields (5 minute walk) and Bethnal Green (15 min walk). FormFormForm Ltd. are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Recruitment for this post will be undertaken by FormFormForm Ltd therefore we ask that all applications are made directly to the company.  To apply please email your CV and a cover letter to jobs@sugru.com.

Start date for this placement: January 2021 (flexible)

Recruiter:  FormFormForm Ltd

Location: Hackney, London (Greater)

Salary: London Living Wage, £10.75/hr

Closes: 6 Dec 2020

Sector: Chemistry, Development, Graduate, Internship, Laboratory Services, Placement, Research, Technician, BSc, MChem/other masters, PhD, Career break returner

Contract Type: Flexible, 6 months part-time or 3 months full-time internship, fixed term

Hours: Flexible, Full Time or Part-time

Planned start date: 11/01/2021

Planned end date: 11/07/2021