R&D Industrial Placement

targetjobs UK; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual holiday entitlement

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee discount at DDC stores

Job summary

AkzoNobel is offering a 12-month R&D Industrial Placement at the Gateshead development laboratories. You will apply Chemistry theory in a corporate setting, screen new coatings technologies and develop concepts for future products while learning through hands-on lab work and established test methods.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a Chemistry degree with a Year in Industry option, with strong lab experience, attention to procedures and safety, and a collaborative, international mindset.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 in Chemistry or equivalent on a Chemistry course that offers a Year in Industry.
• Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry degree or related discipline.
• Experience of laboratory work.
• Ability to follow procedures and work safely.
• Strong PC skills and eye for detail; effective team worker.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Interest in working in an international environment.

Responsibilities

• Apply academic theory in a corporate environment.
• Screen new coatings technologies.
• Develop concepts applicable to future products.
• Train in laboratory work using established test methods.
• Follow SOPs to complete projects to schedule.
• Write basic test reports and present findings.
• Engage in training covering theory, equipment and software.
• Operate safely.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Safety procedures

Education

Chemistry degree (2:1 or equivalent)

Job description

Introduction

If you are expecting a minimum 2:1 in Chemistry and are keen to put your learning into practice and gain valuable experience, this is an incredible opportunity to develop your skills in a business that is a world expert in making coatings. Operating in over 150 countries, AkzoNobel is home to well-known brands and has been awarded Top Employer status in the UK and Europe. We are now recruiting for our R&D Industrial Placement programme based at our development laboratories in Felling, Gateshead. These industrial placements are ideal for science graduates who want to be heavily involved in practical laboratory testing and research.

The Role

• Apply academic theory in a corporate environment
• Screen new coatings technologies
• Develop concepts that may be applicable to future products
• Train in all aspects of working in the laboratory using established test methods
• Follow standard operating procedures to complete projects to agreed schedules
• Write basic test reports & present findings
• Enjoy training covering theory, equipment & software
• Operate safely

About You

• Expecting a minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent* on a Chemistry course that offers you the option of taking a Year in Industry.
• Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry Degree or a related discipline
• Experience of laboratory work
• Good at following procedures & working safely
• Strong PC skills, an eye for detail & an effective team worker
• Has ideas & the energy & determination to make them happen
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
• Wants to work in an international environment
• Enjoys a collaborative working environment where supporting colleagues is key

What Is In It For You

We offer great personal development opportunities and roles with breadth, depth of scope and impact.

We Also Offer Comprehensive Packages Including

• 25 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee discount at DDC stores

You will also be eligible to participate in the Company's flexible benefits programme (myChoice). Colleagues can purchase additional benefits including:

• Health Cash Plan
• Dental Cover
• Dining Card (Gourmet Society)
• Retail Card
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance

Applications close 29th October 2026. First stage interviews to be held week commencing 9th November followed by an assessment centre week commencing 30th November.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.