Material engineer intern

Sustanix; Netherlands; Remote; EUR 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Sustanix is seeking a Material Engineer Intern in the Netherlands to research and characterize bio-based polymers for paper-based packaging. You will bridge green chemistry with functional performance, ensuring eco-friendly coatings withstand food storage and transport demands.

Responsibilities include molecular fingerprinting with GPC/NMR/FTIR, thermal analysis with DSC/TGA, flow and rheology assessment, SEM visualization, and testing barrier performance to demonstrate PFAS-free, bio-based

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science / Material Science, or Plastic Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Research and characterize bio-based polymers for paper-based packaging.
• Bridge green chemistry with functional performance to ensure coatings withstand food storage and transport demands.
• Utilize GPC, NMR, FTIR, DSC, TGA, MFI, Rheology, SEM to analyze material properties and performance.
• Test mechanical strength and moisture/oxygen resistance to validate barrier performance.

Education

Chemical Engineering

Polymer Science / Material Science

Plastic Engineering

Job description

Science can help us transition to a circular economy without cost escalation and it will need a lot of effort and scientific curiosity. Let's bring that transition together.

Sustanix is a Dutch deeptech chemistry startup developing novel bio-based polymers and formulations by valorising biomass to replace microplastic, synthetic chemicals, and PFAS in coatings, personal care, and water treatment.

Role Overview

As a Material Engineer Intern, you will be at the heart of our mission to phase out fossil-based plastics in the food industry. You will actively research and characterize bio-based polymers for paper-based packaging. Focusing on material characterization, you will bridge green chemistry with functional performance, ensuring eco-friendly coatings withstand food storage and transport demands.

• Molecular & Chemical Fingerprinting: You will explore the core of our polymers. Using GPC, NMR, and FTIR, you'll determine molecular weight distributions and identify functional groups to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.
• Thermal & Processing Dynamics: How does the material behave under heat? You will use DSC and TGA to find melting points and degradation thresholds. You'll also get hands-on with Melt Flow Index (MFI) and Rheology to optimize how the polymer flows during the extrusion and coating process.
• Surface Science & Morphology: Using SEM, you will visualize the interface between the coating and the paper fibers, ensuring a uniform, defect-free barrier.
• Structural & Barrier Performance: This is where the lab meets the real world. You will test the mechanical strength of the final product and measure its "shielding" capabilities - specifically Water Vapor Resistance.

Key Responsibilities

As a Material Engineer Intern, your work will bridge the gap between green chemistry and industrial performance. You will be responsible for:

• Verify the "Recipe": Use GPC, NMR, and FTIR to analyze molecular weight distributions and functional groups.
• Maintain Quality: Ensure our bio-based polymers are consistent across different batches, providing the data needed to "greenlight" materials for the next stage of testing.
• Stress-Test Heat Resistance: Utilize DSC and TGA to identify melting points and thermal degradation thresholds.
• Optimize the "Flow": Conduct Melt Flow Index (MFI) and Rheology tests to determine how our polymers behave during industrial extrusion and coating processes.
• Microscopic Inspection: Use SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) to visualize the interface between our coatings and paper fibers.
• Mechanical Testing: Measure the strength, flexibility, and durability of the final coated products to ensure they survive the rigors of food transport.
• The "Shield" Test: Quantify the material's ability to resist moisture and oxygen (Water Vapor Resistance), proving that our bio-based solution is a viable alternative to PFAS and synthetic plastics.

Required Qualification

We are looking for a motivated researcher who is currently pursuing or has recently completed a Master's degree in one of the following fields:

• Chemical Engineering
• Polymer Science / Material Science
• Plastic Engineering

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.