R&D PhD Summer Intern – Hair Care

Procter & Gamble; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Procter & Gamble is offering a PhD internship on the Hair Platform team in Mason, OH. The 12-week summer program runs May to August 2027, giving you hands-on experience with upstream innovation projects and collaboration across cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate is pursuing a PhD in a STEM field, has publications, excellent English communication, and a passion for hands-on experimentation and problem solving. This role emphasizes teamwork and a proactive attitude.

Qualifications

• PhD candidate in a STEM field such as Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or related fields.
• Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Hands-on experimental experience and track record of leading innovation.
• Team player able to work in a multi-functional organization.
• Expertise in Colloid science and surfactant/cationic polymer coacervation.
• Available to work a 12-week internship from May/early June to August 2027, 5 days a week in Mason, OH.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects investigating the product properties in combination with the properties of consumer hair.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather and interpret data, generating insights that drive innovation in product development.
• Develop and propose R&D solutions that enhance the performance and benefits of Hair Care products, ensuring they meet consumer needs and expectations.
• Apply modeling skills to build datasets that help drive towards Superiority.

Skills

PhD candidate in STEM fields

Publications in peer-reviewed journals

Excellent English communication

Hands-on experimentation

Team player

Colloid science

Surfactant/coacervation

Internship May–Aug 2027

Mason, OH on-site

Education

PhD in STEM fields (e.g., Chemical Engineering, Materials Science)

Job description

Job Location

MASON BUS AND INNOVATION CTR

Job Description

Research and Development (R&D) at Procter & Gamble, the largest consumer packaged goods company in the world, includes a diverse group of roles that contribute to the innovation and development of our products. It encompasses roles in product research, formulation, testing, and scientific analysis. You will find variety and excitement starting Day 1 as you collaborate with experts who combine business acumen with technical expertise to develop game-changing, technology-driven solutions for our iconic, trusted brands. This internship is specifically designed for individuals working towards a PhD who are developing proficiency in their field. As an intern or co-op in management, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in a supportive environment. This is a 12-week paid internship, designed to provide you with a solid foundation for future career growth. The internship will take place from May (potentially early June) to August of 2027. Join us at P&G, where your contributions will play a vital role in shaping the future of consumer products!

The Opportunity:

P&G is offering an exciting opportunity for a PhD intern to join our Hair Platform team located in Mason, OH. In this role, working closely with diverse project teams, you will lead upstream innovation programs to study the impact of soil on the performance of shampoo and conditioner. This will be important to understand fundamental mechanisms, generate new insights, and develop R&D solutions that deliver superior benefits by designing effective shampoo + conditioner systems. These insights will have a meaningful influence on our business strategy and will enable our products to win with consumers and deliver superiority for our Company.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong eagerness to learn and grow professionally and possess excellent communication skills—both written and verbal. This role is perfect for those with passion for innovation and problem-solving, along with a proactive attitude and the ability to adapt to new challenges. Join us in this dynamic environment, where your contributions will make a real impact as part of a collaborative team!

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead projects investigating the product properties in combination with the properties of consumer hair.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather and interpret data, generating insights that drive innovation in product development.
• Develop and propose R&D solutions that enhance the performance and benefits of Hair Care products, ensuring they meet consumer needs and expectations.
• Apply modeling skills to build datasets that help drive towards Superiority.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• We are looking for a Ph.D. candidate in a STEM field such as Chemical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering or related fields
• Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Passionate about the hands-on experiment work and demonstrate track record of leading innovation
• Team player and ability to work in a multi-functional organization
• Expertise in Colloid science, Surfactant/cationic polymer coacervation
• Available to work a 12-week internship from May/early June to August in the summer of 2027.Available to work 5 days a week in office at our Mason, OH location

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in Surface science and Surface measurements
• Experience with applying Machine Learning, Data Science, Generative AI and Large Language Modeling (LLM) to real-world problems

Just so you know:

At P&G, we believe that diverse experiences help build strong leaders. Mobility is a key component of many management careers, providing opportunities to grow through different assignments, locations, and business challenges. Candidates should be prepared to consider relocation opportunities throughout their career as business needs and development opportunities arise.

Compensation for roles at P&G varies depending on a wide array of non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, degree/credentials, relevant skill set, and level of relevant experience. At P&G compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Total rewards at P&G include salary + bonus (if applicable) + benefits. Your recruiter may be able to share more about our total rewards offerings and the specific salary range for the relevant location(s) during the hiring process.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Immigration Sponsorship is not available for this role.

For more information regarding who is eligible for hire at P&G along with other work authorization FAQ’s, please click HERE .

Procter & Gamble participates in E-Verify.

Qualified individuals will not be disadvantaged based on being unemployed.

P&G is dedicated to meeting the needs of applicants requesting an accommodation/adjustment due to a disability in order to complete the online application process. If you have a disability that affects your ability to complete our online application process, please visit our Disability Accommodation Page .

Job Schedule

Full time

Job Number

R000161377

Job Segmentation

Internships

Starting Pay / Salary Range

$61.00 - $61.00 / hour