Lab Intern

Vantage Specialty Chemicals; Warren Township (IA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Vantage Specialty Chemicals is seeking an R&D Lab Intern to support scientists in a hands-on, on-site role in the Warren, NJ laboratory. You will help manage formulations, packaging, inventory, documentation, and sample handling while working under supervision.

Candidates should be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, be able to lift up to 15 pounds, and commit to about 20 hours per week. The position emphasizes safety, SOPs, and accurate record-keeping.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field such as chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or cosmetics.
• Sophomore standing or above is preferred.
• Lab coursework or exposure to cosmetics, consumer products, or related fields is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage incoming/outgoing formulation prototypes and organize samples in the Warren sample room.
• Pack and ship samples for customer requests from Sales, Marketing, and related teams.
• Label samples accurately per project/lab requirements.
• Support inventory management for raw materials and lab supplies.
• Assist with stability-chamber sample management and data recording under supervision.
• Calibrate lab equipment and document calibration activities.

Skills

R&D lab environment

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field (pursuing)

Sophomore standing or above

Tools

Outlook

Teams

Excel

Word

Job description

Position Summary

An R&D Lab Intern supports R&D scientists with routine laboratory tasks under the supervision of the scientists.

Position Scope

This position is designed for college students who can work on site in the Warren, NJ lab at least 2-3 days per week, with a minimum commitment of approximately 20 hours per week. The R&D Lab Intern will support R&D scientists with routine laboratory, sample-management, packaging, inventory, and documentation activities under direct supervision. The role is hands-on and primarily lab-based; responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage incoming and outgoing formulation prototypes, including organizing samples in the Warren sample room, periodically checking inventory, packing and shipping samples for customer requests from Sales, Marketing, and related teams, and maintaining the sample tracker;

• Manually fill formulation prototypes into appropriate packaging, including containers, jars, tubes, bottles, pumps, and similar formats. Products may include moisturizers, creams, foundations, lotions, lip products, makeup, shampoos, conditioners, and related formulations;

• Repack raw materials into designated package formats for trade shows, customer events, meetings, trainings, and other business needs;

• Label samples accurately according to project, customer, formulation, or laboratory requirements;

• Support inventory management for raw materials and laboratory supplies used in R&D activities;

• Assist scientists with stability-chamber sample management, including recording temperature and humidity, placing and removing samples for testing, and documenting assigned data under scientist supervision;

• Move, organize, and store laboratory items as needed; the candidate should be able to safely lift up to 15 pounds;

• Calibrate laboratory equipment according to established SOPs and record calibration activities as required;

• Assist scientists, when appropriate, with laboratory batch-making activities for cosmetic products such as gels, creams, lotions, serums, and related formulations.

The R&D Lab Intern is expected to comply with all applicable laboratory SOPs, safety procedures, site safety requirements, and company policies at all times. This includes following established practices for proper handling, labeling, storage, documentation, housekeeping, personal protective equipment, and safe operation of laboratory equipment. The candidate must complete required training and immediately report any safety concerns, incidents, or deviations to the supervising scientist or appropriate site contact.

Note: The duties listed above are not all inclusive and may be subject to periodic updating or revision.

Education & Experience

Desired Background:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, preferably chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, microbiology, cosmetic science, formulation science, or a related discipline. Sophomore standing or above is preferred.

• Previous laboratory experience, coursework involving laboratory techniques, or exposure to personal care, cosmetic, chemical, or consumer products is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Talents

More specifically, we would seek the following attributes and competencies for the position:

• Basic understanding of working in an R&D laboratory environment, with the ability to follow laboratory SOPs, lab safety practices, office safety requirements, and site policies;

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced lab setting;

• Curious, open-minded, and quick to learn, with good communication skills and a willingness to ask questions when clarification is needed;

• Comfortable using Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and other standard office software for communication, documentation, and tracking activities;

• Availability to work a minimum of approximately 20 hours per week, or about 2.5 days per week, with some flexibility depending on business needs and the candidate’s schedule.

Working Conditions

This role is an on-site, hands-on laboratory position based in the Warren, NJ lab. The role requires regular work in an R&D laboratory environment and may involve handling samples, packaging materials, raw materials, laboratory supplies, and standard laboratory equipment. The position requires the ability to safely lift up to 15 pounds and follow all applicable laboratory safety, PPE, housekeeping, and documentation requirements.

Pay

The estimated base pay range for this position is: $25 - $35 hourly. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, qualifications, skills and geographic location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantage is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category.

About Vantage

Vantage provides natural solutions to our customers’ technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by our broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL., operates in 11 countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction.

We are a dynamic people-centered organization where you’ll be part of a collaborative global team. Embracing our cultural diversity, we learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voices and talents of our colleagues, empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We’re convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results, and we celebrate them by fostering a culture of recognition, development, learning, excellence and shared achievement. Most importantly, we know you’re going to like it here. For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.