R&D Intern

H.B. Fuller; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Incentive and recognitions programs

Health & wellness benefits

401K contributions

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

H.B. Fuller invites motivated students to join its Research & Development team in Saint Paul, Minnesota as a Polyurethane Adhesive Chemistry Intern. You will contribute to design, synthesis, and evaluation of advanced polyurethane adhesive materials alongside scientists and engineers.

This 12-week internship offers hands-on lab experience, exposure to industrial R&D processes, and a final presentation to share outcomes with managers and peers.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related scientific discipline.
• Rising junior or senior with coursework in chemistry, materials science, polymers, or related technical subjects.
• Demonstrated interest in laboratory research, materials characterization, data analysis, and hands-on experimental work

Responsibilities

• Develop foundational understanding of polyurethane adhesive chemistry and structure-property relationships.
• Synthesize and prepare polyurethane polymers and adhesive formulations using laboratory reactors and standard equipment.
• Conduct mechanical and physical testing to evaluate strength, adhesion, and durability.
• Utilize analytical techniques to assess polymer structure and composition.
• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data to identify trends and support formulation development.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and follow safe laboratory practices.
• Summarize project findings and deliver a final presentation with key learnings and recommendations.

Skills

Lab research interest

Data analysis

Hands-on experiments

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Physics

Related scientific discipline

Job description

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2025 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,100 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in 150 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com.

What you can expect from H.B. Fuller’s Internship Program:

You’ll be joining a cohort of talented students from a variety of schools across the U.S. We hire interns in the following positions: Process Engineering, R&D, Strategic Sourcing, Technical Sales, Supply Chain, Product Marketing, Information Technology, and more.

The projects we task our interns to lead are impactful and meaningful to our organization. You’ll be supported by your Manager and Mentor to gain in-depth knowledge of the adhesive industry and collaborate with various departments and functions. We also offer an established path for next-level opportunities – making this internship the starting point for a long-term career path.

Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota

Department: Research & Development

Internship Experience

• 12-week paid program beginning the end of May to mid-August to gain insight and knowledge in your field.

• Interactive orientation and events with skilled professionals in your field, including managers, directors, and CEO.

• Multiple networking, volunteer and fun events – both virtual and in-person.

• Impactful projects that make a difference internally and externally for H.B. Fuller.

• End of summer final presentation to showcase your career development with support from managers and peers.

Position Overview

The Polyurethane Adhesive Chemistry Intern will contribute to research and development projects focused on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of advanced polyurethane adhesive materials. This hands‑on laboratory role offers the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real‑world challenges in polymer chemistry and materials science. Working closely with scientists and engineers, the intern will formulate and test new materials, utilize analytical and mechanical testing equipment, and analyze experimental data to identify relationships between material composition and performance. Throughout the internship, the candidate will develop technical laboratory skills, gain exposure to industrial R&D processes, and present project outcomes to members of the broader technical organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop a foundational understanding of polyurethane adhesive chemistry, including raw materials, formulation principles, and structure-property relationships.

• Synthesize and prepare polyurethane polymers and adhesive formulations using laboratory reactors and standard chemical processing equipment.

• Conduct mechanical and physical property testing on formulated materials to evaluate performance characteristics such as strength, adhesion, and durability.

• Utilize a variety of analytical and characterization techniques to assess polymer structure, composition, and material behavior.

• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data using statistical methods to identify trends, interpret results, and support formulation development.

• Maintain accurate laboratory records and follow safe laboratory practices while conducting experiments and testing activities.

• Summarize project findings and deliver a final presentation highlighting experimental results, key learnings, and recommendations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related scientific discipline.

• Rising junior or senior with coursework in chemistry, materials science, polymers, or related technical subjects.

• Demonstrated interest in laboratory research, materials characterization, data analysis, and hands‑on experimental work

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.

The salary for this role is $22-$25 per hour.

In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.

• comprehensive benefits
• incentive and recognitions programs
• health & wellness benefits
• 401K contributions
• paid time off
• paid holidays

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.