Why You’ll Love This Job
We are seeking motivated students to join our Summer Intern Program! As an Alpek Polyester USA Intern, you’ll be making an impact on the world with one of the largest leading global producers of sustainable PET materials while putting your learning into practice through collaborative team and project opportunities that offer innovative solutions to our customers and real-world hands-on experience to kickstart your career.
As a Research & Development Intern, you will play a crucial role in the Department objectives for innovating, improving and developing circularity for our polymer products. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to gain firsthand experience and exposure to Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) production, material testing, product design and recycling.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The student selected as the Research & Development Intern will work at our Columbia Site located in Gaston, South Carolina in a project-based internship that is part of ongoing research efforts within the R&D Department. Topic can be related to new PET product formulation, PET mechanical recycling, recycled PET composition or assessment of raw materials from sustainable sources.
Interns are reportable to their assigned team’s supervisor. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate cross functionally with other personnel and teams at their intern site to accomplish their assigned projects and tasks including:
- Assist with the day-to-day tactical functions that directly support the R&D team at your site.
- Work along R&D Specialists according to the needs of the intern’s project objective including
- Run/maintain laboratory equipment assets, polymer processing equipment and laboratory reactors.
- Literature search associated with new developments in the project’s field of study.
- Support development of analytical methods/techniques using equipment available in the R&D laboratory.
- Execute lab experiments, including polymer synthesis and characterization.
- Participate in chemical & material selection, management and storage.
- Present program results to company leaders in symposium style event.
- Interact with 3rd party laboratories and research centers as needed.
- Complete special projects and assignments as directed.
- Successful execution of job responsibilities requires the ability to operate independently and effectively utilize initiative, attention to detail, discretion, and confidentiality.
Qualifications
- Full time enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program from an accredited college/university
- Majoring in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry
- Availability to work full time (40 hours/ week) for the 3-month duration of intern assignment
- Possess Safety Mindset: committed to work safely in all environments
- Hands-on approach with strong problem-solving aptitude
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to make good judgment decisions
- Willing and able to take initiative
- Self-motivated
- Professional level of integrity
- Team-oriented
Alpek Polyester USA, LLC is a global leader in the production of PTA (Terephthalic Acid), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Resins, PET Recycling (rPET), and Specialty Polymers. This integrated business services customers all over the world using its global network of manufacturing entities within the Alpek Polyester umbrella. We are committed to improving people’s lives through our products, innovations, and a commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment.
Alpek Polyester USA, LLC is headquartered in Charlotte, NC with manufacturing facilities in the Carolinas, Mississippi, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
Alpek Polyester USA, LLC is a division of Alpek, the petrochemicals and synthetic fibers business group of Alfa, S.A.B. de C.V., one of Mexico’s largest corporations.
Alpek Polyester USA, LLC is subject to US Department of Commerce export regulations and thus must hire individuals who meet national security requirements. Interested applicants (or temporary employees) must meet eligibility requirements. Alpek Polyester USA, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Type: Internship
Job ID: 162839