Intern - Chemist for Cleaning Solutions

Evonik; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Evonik is seeking a Laboratory Chemist intern for a temporary contractor assignment in the Richmond, VA area. The role involves developing and optimizing cleaning product formulations using surfactants and specialty ingredients, supporting customer projects, and assisting with marketing materials.

Under guidance from a lab manager and marketing manager, you will conduct experiments, generate data, and help prepare technical content.

Qualifications

• General understanding of surfactant functionality and cleaning formulation principles.
• Experience with laboratory testing and handling general laboratory equipment safely.
• Ability to analyze complex technical data and provide practical recommendations. Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Contribution to new business wins and revenue growth through technical support and formulation expertise.

Responsibilities

• Develop custom formulations to support customer projects and product development.
• Design, prepare, and evaluate formulations for HI&I and specialty cleaning applications.
• Conduct formulation optimization studies to improve cleaning efficacy, foam characteristics, stability, and viscosity.
• Develop innovative prototype formulations showcasing Evonik's surfactants and specialty ingredients.
• Perform application testing and comparative performance evaluations using established laboratory methods.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, reports, and experimental documentation.

Skills

Surfactant basics

Lab testing

Data analysis

Communication

Independent work

Technical support

Education

Undergrad or master in Chemistry/Eng/Formulation

Job description

Please Note: This is a temporary contractor assignment supporting Evonik. The selected candidate will be employed and paid by a third-party staffing agency.

Key Responsibilities

Formulation Development for Customer Projects & Activities

Under guidance of a lab manager:

• Develop custom formulations to support customer projects, new product development, and formulation optimization initiatives.
• Design, prepare, and evaluate formulations for household, industrial, institutional (HI&I), and specialty cleaning applications.
• Conduct formulation optimization studies to improve cleaning efficacy, foam characteristics, stability, compatibility, viscosity, and other performance attributes.
• Develop innovative prototype formulations showcasing the capabilities of the company's surfactants and specialty ingredients.
• Perform application testing and comparative performance evaluations using established laboratory methods.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, reports, and experimental documentation.

Assess formulation properties including:

• Cleaning performance
• Foam generation and stability
• Wetting and detergency
• Solubility and compatibility
• Rheology and viscosity
• pH and stability
• Hard water tolerance
• Surface tension

Laboratory Operations & Safety

• Follow all environmental, health, safety, and quality procedures.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations.

Marketing Support

Under guidance of a marketing manager:

• Develop customer-ready prototype formulation marketing material that showcase the performance and value of company surfactants and specialty ingredients.
• Create formulation concepts aligned with market trends, customer needs, and emerging cleaning technologies.
• Generate technical data and performance claims to support marketing campaigns, product launches, and promotional materials.
• Support the marketing manager when preparing formulation guides, application bulletins, technical brochures, and marketing materials such as photos and videos of Evonik's formulation test results.
• Conduct comparative studies demonstrating the advantages of company products versus competitive technologies that can be used in customer presentations, trade shows, webinars, and industry events.

Qualifications

Education

Current junior or senior undergraduate student, or master's student, pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Formulation Science, or a related scientific discipline required. A business or marketing-related minor is preferred.

Skills

• General understanding of surfactant functionality and cleaning formulation principles preferred.
• Experience with laboratory testing and handling general laboratory equipment safely.
• Ability to analyze complex technical data and provide practical recommendations.Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Contribution to new business wins and revenue growth through technical support and formulation expertise.

Summary Compensation & Benefits

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. (Specific rate to be determined, but not limited to, geographic location, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data).

Pay Range: $15 - $20 per hour

The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.

What we offer

At Evonik, you’re part of a global chemical company working in many sectors that go beyond chemistry. From lipids for tomorrow’s medicines, biosurfactants for green detergents, additives for plastics recycling or membranes to help drive forward the energy transition, you’ll play an essential part in helping the world’s most essential industries succeed.

Our success hinges on a diversity of ideas powered by people, not egos. Whether you’re a scientist or engineer, new to the team or established, in business, production, or anything in between - we cheer each other on. Because we believe we can do anything. Explore everything. And Be Part of Something Special!

The Laboratory Chemist intern is responsible for developing, optimizing, and evaluating cleaning product formulations utilizing surfactants and specialty ingredients to support customer projects, technical service activities, and business growth initiatives. Evonik will assign the intern customer a specific project as well as protype development while creating marketing and communication materials highlighting Evonik's ingredients. This role works closely with