Chemistry Intern

Job Opportunity: Chemistry Intern (Temporary, Part-Time)
Location: Richmond, CA (In-Laboratory)
Position Type: Temporary, Part-Time Internship
Pay Rate: $19.18 – $21.00 / hour (Dependent on experience)
Schedule: 12 hours per week (4-hour shifts each on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays)
Duration: Summer 2026 (With potential to extend up to 10 hours/week into the academic year)

Be a part of the team that takes our research, development, and customer-focused technical support to the next level!

Are you a chemistry student or an individual who has completed a chemistry-focused degree eager to gain real-world industrial experience and apply your classroom knowledge in a laboratory setting? Do you enjoy solving technical problems, working with your hands, and contributing to meaningful projects?

We are seeking a curious, reliable, and detail-oriented Chemistry Intern who is eager to learn, asks thoughtful questions, and takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality work. Working under direct laboratory supervision, the ideal candidate enjoys both laboratory work and continuous improvement and is excited to contribute to a growing specialty chemicals company.

Past professors, supervisors, or teammates often describe you as:
• Dependable and consistently prepared 
• A strong team player 
• Curious and eager to learn 
• Accurate and trustworthy with data 
• Proactive and willing to take initiative

What You Will Learn
• Industrial formulation and product development 
• Deep-dive knowledge of the specialty chemical industry (pigments, coatings, plastics, and inks) 
• Advanced laboratory testing and analytical techniques 
• Manufacturing and scale-up processes 
• Technical problem solving and customer support 
• Data analysis, reporting, and process improvement

Key Responsibilities
Working closely with and under the guidance of our laboratory team, you will:
• Conduct various lab experiments, R&D assignments, and product development projects.
• Prepare paint samples, fill product samples for testing or distribution, and perform comparisons on paper substrates. 
• Produce ink prints using laboratory proofing equipment. 
• Make laboratory-scale batches of ink bases and polymer pigments. 
• Operate plastics extrusion and injection molding equipment. 
• Operate viscometers, melting point apparatus, moisture analyzers, and color spectrophotometers. 
• Perform in-process batch control activities and overall QC processes, including titrations. 
• Record, analyze, and report laboratory data accurately and consistently.

Requirements and Qualifications
• Education: Currently pursuing, or have completed, a BA/BS or Associate degree program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field. 
• Coursework: Completion of two semesters of General Chemistry with laboratory coursework required; completion of one semester of Organic Chemistry preferred. 
• Technical Skills: Operating knowledge of basic laboratory apparatus such as balances, pH meters, and related equipment. 
• Math & Science: Knowledge of basic math, percentage calculations, weight ratios, mole calculations, and unit conversions. 
• Vision: Ability to distinguish color and color shade differences. 
• Safety First: A strong commitment to laboratory safety, proper handling of chemicals and equipment, and the ability to consistently follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 
• Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Physical Requirements
• Ability to stand for extended periods in a laboratory environment. 
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds. 
• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, and lab coats.

Position Duration & Future Opportunity
This is a part-time, temporary internship assignment for the Summer 2026 term, with availability required for at least 10 hours per week should it extend into the academic year.

While this role is structured with a definitive end date based on the internship term, we are a growing specialty chemicals company. For exceptional performers, there may be potential opportunities to extend the temporary assignment or to be considered for a regular, long-term role in the future, purely based on company growth and operational pipeline needs at that time. Please note that placement in a regular role is never guaranteed and is strictly dependent on business necessity.

How to Apply
If you would like to become part of a company that is gaining recognition in the specialty chemicals industry, please submit your resume along with a brief half-page write-up describing an accomplishment, project, or experience that best demonstrates your work ethic, curiosity, and desire to learn.

While your resume is important, we are equally interested in understanding how you approach challenges and contribute to success.