R&D Formulation Technician

Job Description

Fixing is good. We believe in the power of imagination to beat our throwaway culture. Our founder, 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!

FormFormForm Ltd manufactures and sells Sugru, a unique silicone putty-based mouldable glue that sets strong, by turning into a durable, flexible rubber. 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.

This will be a 3 or 6-months long part-time internship for investigating substitution of materials for more environmentally friendly + sustainable adhesive formulations (e.g. biodegradable or recyclable fillers, reinforcing fibres and/or powder additives) and gain first-hand experience on how these materials affect the properties and mixing process of the end-product. The intern will investigate whether chemical treatment of fillers is required to ensure compatibility with polymer matrices. Mixing formulations, characterising composites materials, performing statistical analysis, presenting summaries of results to the rest of the R&D team would be some of the day-to-day activities of the intern.

Possible topics of this R&D project relate to a wide range of areas of chemistry including:

• evaluation of new candidates for polymer functionalisation (organic) development of mineral filler systems (inorganic) control flowability and adhesion (applied chemistry) composites characterisation (analytical) cure kinetics, and improvement of stability and shelf life (physical)

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

The intern will spend most of their time in our R&D laboratories and will also have a desk in an office area. The Research and Development team consists of colleagues with experience in material science, chemistry, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering.

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 these collaborations.

Learning outcomes

• Development of formulations: Plan chemical and process strategies to put a formulation together from lab-scale to pilot-scale.
• Design of experiments: Learn systematic approaches to planning of experiments to determine which factors are important in achieving the desired properties.
• Evaluation techniques: Identify 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: Gain experience using laboratory notebooks for inventory, keeping computer records, data/statistical analysis, and reporting/presenting summaries of results to the rest of the R&D team.
• Learning opportunities: Weekly meetings with the R&D team and 1:1 catch-ups with the supervisor. Access to Sevron chemicals lab management software and Ellis Whittam Health and Safety e-Learning training courses

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 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 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.

Salary £11.05/hr

Location Hackney, London (Greater)

Hours of work Full Time or Part Time

Planned start date for the employment 05/10/2022

Planned end date for the employment 05/01/2023

Contact details for applications jobs@sugru.com

Please select some sectors for your advert. Formulation, Materials, Adhesives