Student Co-op, Inkjet Research & Development – Billerica, MA Onsite

Cabot Corporation; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Cabot Corporation is seeking a current student to join the Inkjet R&D team in Billerica, MA as a co‑op. You’ll work 8:30am to 5:00pm daily on hands‑on research into new inkjet pigment dispersion technology, connecting material properties to product performance.

You’ll collaborate with scientists and engineers across library studies, data analysis, and formulation work, gaining industrial R&D experience in a multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program in a scientific discipline.
• Strong interest in experimental research and scientific problem solving.
• Previous laboratory experience through coursework or internships.
• Ability to collect, organize, and interpret experimental data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high‑quality work.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Experience with Python or similar languages for data analytics.

Responsibilities

• Conduct lab experiments and substrate studies to link dispersion with print performance.
• Develop test methods to study pigment dispersions and substrates.
• Prepare formulations and samples per established plans (print testing, color, rheology).
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to design studies and interpret data.
• Analyze results to identify trends and guide future work.
• Maintain thorough records in electronic notebooks and report findings.
• Prepare summaries and presentations for project teams.
• Follow safety and lab procedures to maintain a safe environment.

Skills

Experimental research

Lab experience

Data analysis

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Python

AI tools

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Polymer Science, Physics, Nanotechnology, or related field

Tools

Microscopy

Raman

FTIR

NMR

ICP

IC

SEM

CPS

Job description

Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a leading global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Our businesses deliver a broad range of products and solutions to customers in every corner of the globe, serving the transportation, infrastructure, environment and consumer industry sectors. We bring the power of innovative chemistry to solve customers' challenges today while preparing them to meet tomorrow's needs. Our commitment to innovation is driven by a passion to advance our customers' businesses through our deep understanding of their applications and the global trends that impact their operations. If you do not meet every requirement, or your experience is slightly different that what we have listed, we still encourage you to apply!

Your Role at Cabot:

Cabot is seeking a current student to join the Inkjet R&D team at our Billerica, MA location in a co‑op capacity. This is an ideal role for a student who can dedicate a semester (or potentially longer) to assisting the Inkjet team from 8:30am to 5:00pm each day. As a Co‑op in our Inkjet Research & Development team, you’ll help bring this vision to life through hands‑on research into new inkjet black dispersion technology. Bring your scientific curiosity, explore bold ideas, and turn experimental insights into meaningful contributions to an emerging materials platform. The Cabot Inkjet team is developing a new pigment dispersion platform to deliver breakthrough technology and unlock next‑generation performance in pigment dispersions for digital printing. Working alongside scientists and engineers, you’ll connect material properties with product performance through formulation studies, materials characterization, and data analysis. You’ll gain industrial R&D experience at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, colloid science, and advanced manufacturing—building practical skills for a career in research. Ready to tackle unanswered scientific questions and help shape future technology? Join us.

How You’ll Make an Impact:

• Conduct laboratory experiments and substrate interaction studies to connect pigment dispersion structure and formulation with digital print performance.
• Develop new test methods to characterize the mechanisms governing interactions between pigment dispersions and substrates.
• Prepare formulations and test samples following established experimental plans and laboratory procedures such as print testing, color measurement, rheology, and physical property measurement.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and the analytical department to design studies and interpret analytical data from techniques such as microscopy, Raman, FTIR, NMR, ICP, IC, SEM, and CPS.
• Analyze experimental results to identify trends, generate hypotheses, and guide future investigations.
• Maintain thorough and organized records using electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Prepare summaries and presentations that effectively communicate research findings to project teams.
• Follow all safety, environmental, and laboratory operating procedures while maintaining a safe and organized work environment.

What You’ll Bring to Cabot:

• Enrollment in a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program in: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Polymer Science, Physics, Nanotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Strong interest in experimental research and scientific problem solving.
• Previous laboratory experience through coursework, undergraduate research, internships, or co‑op programs.
• Ability to collect, organize, and interpret experimental data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to generating high‑quality technical work.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Experience with Python or similar programming languages to support data analytics and workflow automation (a plus).
• Familiarity with AI‑powered tools for research, data analysis, workflow efficiency, and technical problem‑solving, with a willingness to learn and adopt new applications.

How We’ll Support Your Success:

• The pay range for this role is $25/hr.
• Hands‑on experience in an industrial R&D laboratory.
• Exposure to advanced analytical tools and characterization methods.
• Opportunity to contribute to research that supports future technology platforms.
• Mentorship from experienced scientists and engineers.
• Experience presenting technical results to cross‑functional teams.
• Development of experimental design, problem‑solving, and data‑analysis skills that are highly valued in industry and graduate research programs.
• You will be part of a team that cares about you personally and professionally.
• Our success depends on your success.

#LI-ONSITE

At Cabot, we bring the power of innovative chemistry and a spirit of partnership with our customers to advance solutions that will enable a sustainable future. Our strength in research and development is a major reason why we have been an industry leader for more than 135 years in products such as reinforcing and specialty carbons, battery materials, aerogel, fumed metal oxides, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds. Our employees around the world are united by our shared purpose: Creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. Through our corporate strategy, "Creating for Tomorrow", we are focused on our core strengths to lead in performance and sustainability – today and into the future.

EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled/RC14001

Realizing we function better together than individually, Cabot Corporation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that embraces our differences and to empower employees to achieve exceptional results, without consideration of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for employees’ and applicants’ disabilities or religious beliefs and practices, in accordance with applicable law. Cabot is committed to supporting and maintaining a safe and environmentally focused working environment. All employees are expected to uphold this commitment in every position.

Nondiscrimination Policy with Respect to Discussion of Pay

This is to advise that it is the policy of Cabot Corporation not to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. This policy, however, shall not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of that employee's essential job functions (such as in payroll or HR) discloses the compensation of such other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to such information, unless that disclosure is in response to a formal complaint or charge, in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing or other action, including an investigation conducted by Cabot, or otherwise as required by law.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Background Checks

Cabot is proud to operate as a drug‑free workplace. All applicants conditionally offered a position must (a) complete and pass a background check and (b) complete a drug test and receive an acceptable test result. For certain manufacturing, quality and production positions, a pre‑employment physical may be required.