R&D Intern - Automotive Adhesive

H.B. Fuller is a leading global adhesives provider focusing on perfecting adhesives and sealants across all industries throughout the world. While our products are virtually invisible, they play a vital role in ensuring the quality of modern life and we are committed to connecting what matters to solve some of the world's biggest adhesion challenges.

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 automotive industry (both internal combustion engine and electrified vehicles) constantly strives for materials that are light weight, readily integrated in automation, and non-solvent/reactive to reduce carbon footprint. Hot melt adhesive become increasingly popular due to its cost, readily processable and handling. However, the bonding temperature for hot melt adhesives is crucial to the final part performance.  The intern will conduct experiments to investigate the effect of bonding conditions (reactivation temperature, bonding temperature & pressure) on the adhesive performance. The intern will have the opportunity to exercise key learns from courses like thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and reaction engineering to understand the bonding process.    
 

Primary Duties:

The intern will carry out experimental design to map the processing window, evaluate adhesive performance, and then conduct statistical analysis on testing results.   

Make hot melt batches in 200g and 1kg scales.  

Make peel test specimens in a controlled environmental room.  

Evaluate physical properties of the adhesive in the lab. 

Analyzing testing results in the office.   

Required Qualifications: 

Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, material science/engineering, polymer science/engineering, math  

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in a general chemistry lab or a polymer processing lab. Experience with material testing for example, mechanical tensile testing, rheology, etc.      

Physical Environment:  

70% lab and 30% desk work.  

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.

The salary for this role is $21.00 - $23.00 per hour based on college major.

In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.