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Polymer Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chemist Intern

Houston, TX

$14.25 - $19/hr

Our Summer Internship Program is designed for ambitious students who want hands-on experience in ... Advanced Materials * Polymer Science * Process Development * Technical Service & Applications ...

Chemist Intern

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

Our Summer Internship Program is designed for ambitious students who want hands-on experience in ... Advanced Materials * Polymer Science * Process Development * Technical Service & Applications ...

Intern - Engineering

Rural Retreat, VA · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Summer Internship 2026 - Get hands on experience with a global company! Klockner Pentaplast is a ... Polymer Processing - Lamination/ Coating * Supply Chain Management- Inventory Stock Specialist

Intern - Engineering

Rural Retreat, VA · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Summer Internship 2026 - Get hands on experience with a global company! Klöckner Pentaplast is a ... Polymer Processing - Lamination/ Coating * Supply Chain Management- Inventory Stock Specialist

$15.50 - $20.50/hr

D. program in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer ... Internships are 100% onsite Monday through Friday 40 hours per week. A little more

Junior Chemist

Broken Arrow, OK · On-site

$19.25 - $25.75/hr

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field. * 0-2 years of relevant laboratory experience (internship or academic lab experience acceptable)

Junior Chemist

Broken Arrow, OK · On-site

$19.25 - $25.75/hr

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field. * 0-2 years of relevant laboratory experience (internship or academic lab experience acceptable)

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Polymer Internships information

See salary details

$50.5K

$89.3K

$155K

How much do polymer internships jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer internships in the United States is $89,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects can I expect to work on during a polymer internship?

As a polymer intern, you can expect to be involved in hands-on projects such as developing new polymer blends, testing material properties in the laboratory, assisting with process optimization, and analyzing data from experiments. Interns often work closely with experienced engineers and scientists, contributing to both research and product development teams. This experience provides valuable exposure to various stages of polymer production and testing, helping you build practical skills and industry knowledge.

What is the difference between Polymer Internships vs Polymer Technicians?

AspectPolymer InternshipsPolymer Technicians
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduates with relevant courseworkPost-secondary education or technical certifications in polymer science or engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, or corporate R&D departmentsManufacturing plants, quality control labs, or production lines
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs in chemical, materials, or polymer companiesFull-time roles in polymer manufacturing and processing industries

Polymer Internships are entry-level opportunities for students or recent graduates to gain experience in polymer science, often in research or development settings. Polymer Technicians are more experienced roles involving hands-on work in manufacturing, quality control, or processing. While internships focus on learning and exposure, technicians perform operational tasks essential to production.

What are polymer internships?

Polymer internships are temporary positions for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience working with polymers—large molecules used in materials like plastics, rubbers, and fibers. These internships are typically offered by research institutions, manufacturing companies, or chemical firms. Interns may assist in laboratory research, product development, quality testing, or process optimization. The experience helps students apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects, build professional networks, and enhance their resumes for future careers in polymer science or engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Polymer Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Polymer Intern, you typically need a background in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering, along with foundational knowledge of polymer properties and synthesis. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and analytical tools like FTIR, DSC, or GPC is often required. Strong attention to detail, willingness to learn, and effective teamwork and communication skills set outstanding interns apart. These competencies are essential for contributing to research projects, maintaining safety, and efficiently supporting innovation in polymer development.
More about Polymer Internships jobs
What cities are hiring for Polymer Internships jobs? Cities with the most Polymer Internships job openings:
What states have the most Polymer Internships jobs? States with the most job openings for Polymer Internships jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Polymer Internships jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Polymer Internships jobs are:
Infographic showing various Polymer Internships job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,329 per year, or $42.9 per hour.

Polymer Scientist - Electrospinning & Advanced Materials Applications

Iris Scientific Inc.

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Polymer Scientist - Electrospinning & Advanced Materials Applications
Location: Phoenix, AZ - Onsite laboratory role; ~20-30% North American travel
Compensation: $90,000 - $110,000 base salary + performance bonus
Relocation: Relocation support available
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401K, Life Insurance
Contact: Andrew Millar | andrew.millar@irisscientific.com | 647-205-7151
Iris Scientific is a specialty recruitment agency focused exclusively on technical and commercial roles within the North American scientific instrumentation and advanced materials market.
We're partnering with a Phoenix-based advanced materials and contract analytical laboratory to hire a PhD-level Polymer Scientist with deep, hands-on electrospinning expertise. The lab develops electrospun and electrosprayed polymer systems for medical device and regulated-materials applications - drug delivery, wound care, device coatings, fibrous scaffolds, membranes - for clients ranging from the world's largest medical device companies to early-stage startups.
What This Role Is
You will be the lab's internal subject-matter expert on electrospinning and electrospraying, leading client-facing contract development projects from scope definition through final reporting. It's a hands-on bench role with real commercial visibility - applied science, not academic research, and not a translational, regulatory, or product-management track.
A small, tight-knit team (7 people) means high autonomy, fast-moving priorities, and a genuine mix of laboratory execution and direct customer engagement.
Core Responsibilities
Contract research & project leadership
  • Lead electrospinning/electrospraying projects for industrial and research clients
  • Define project scope with customers and design structured, factorial experimental plans
  • Conduct hands-on experimentation, process development, and troubleshooting across diverse polymer systems
  • Develop and document SOPs; maintain quality-system and documentation discipline
  • Communicate outcomes through clear written and oral technical reports
  • Mentor junior team members in experimental design and best practices

Applications & technical support
  • Support advanced electrospinning instrumentation; run demos, installations, and user training
  • Provide pre- and post-sales technical support, proof-of-concept testing, and remote/onsite troubleshooting
  • Represent the lab at workshops, trade shows, and technical roadshows across North America

Qualifications
Required
  • PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline (this is a polymer/materials-science role rather than a chemical-engineering one)
  • Deep, independent, hands-on electrospinning and/or electrospraying experience - you have personally developed, built, or substantially owned and troubleshooted the process, not only operated an established group system
  • Demonstrated breadth across multiple polymer systems - not a single-polymer specialist
  • Strong experimental-design discipline (structured/factorial, not purely exploratory)
  • Proven ability to manage technical projects independently and meet client timelines
  • Excellent written and verbal technical communication
  • Willingness to travel ~20-30%

Attributes that matter here
  • Strong interpersonal skills and team fit - this is a collaborative, customer-facing, rules-driven environment; the team works closely together and to client specifications. This is weighted as heavily as technical skill.
  • Ownership and accountability - comfortable being questioned on your work, and able to say "I don't know" without defensiveness
  • Genuine curiosity across a wide range of materials and applications
  • Comfort working in environmentally sensitive electrospinning systems (humidity, solvent, charge effects)
  • Process-oriented, quality-minded, and organized in documentation

Recent PhDs with strong electrospinning depth are encouraged to apply. Industry, internship, or PI-collaboration-with-industry experience is an advantage but not required.
Team & Environment
  • 7-person analytical team; individual contributor with technical-leadership influence
  • High-autonomy, startup-paced environment within an established 20-year company

Other Requirements
  • Onsite in Phoenix, AZ - must be located there or willing to relocate
  • US work authorization is required; visa sponsorship is not available