Lab Consultant

Graduate Internship - Lab Consultant

Company Overview:
Grow Materials is a sustainable materials company offering innovative solutions in material recovery, recycling, and technical identification for off-grade and recycled plastic streams. We work with major petrochemical resin producers, specialty polymer manufacturers, compounders, and finished product manufacturers. Our mission is to ensure material streams are utilized in the most effective applications, driving advancements in plastics recycling and sustainability.

Position/Title: Lab Consultant

Position Overview:
Grow Materials is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented graduate student to join our team as a Lab Consultant. This in-person role at our Houston facility provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of our technical lab capabilities. We are looking for someone to start immediately, with the flexibility for this position to be either short-term or long-term, depending on mutual needs and goals. 

The Lab Consultant will report directly to the Plant Manager and CEO, while also collaborating with a lab technician. The consultant will work in our laboratory located at our Houston facility and conduct tests on plastic materials to ensure compliance with specified standards and performance criteria. Please note that while this role does not involve product development, it offers valuable hands-on experience in a dynamic, innovative environment, along with exposure to the plastics industry.

Position Responsibilities (on-site training provided):

• Material Testing: Conduct mechanical, thermal, chemical, and physical tests on plastic materials, including tensile testing, impact testing, hardness testing, melt index testing, density testing, FTIR, thermal analysis, and chemical resistance testing.
• Equipment Operation: Set up, calibrate, and operate testing equipment according to ASTM standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Maintain equipment in proper working condition.
• Sample Preparation: Prepare plastic material samples for testing, including cutting, molding, and processing to required specifications.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Record and analyze test data, identify deviations, and collaborate with the team to troubleshoot issues. Use software tools to visualize and present data.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain detailed records of testing procedures and results, generate reports, and communicate findings to the engineering and management teams.
• Quality Assurance: Support the refinement of testing protocols to ensure accuracy, reliability, and consistency in results.
• Safety Compliance: Adhere to safety protocols while handling materials, chemicals, and equipment. Maintain a clean and safe testing environment.

Position Requirements:

• Education: Current PhD student in materials science, chemistry, engineering, or a related field.
• Technical Skills: Experience in plastics testing, including tensile testing, impact testing, moisture analysis, melt index testing, density testing, thermal and infrared analysis, and sample preparation (e.g., injection molding). Familiarity with ASTM and ISO testing methods is required.
• Analytical Equipment: Proficiency in FTIR, DSC, and TGA.
• Data Analysis: Strong skills in data recording, analysis, and report generation.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot independently and develop innovative solutions for testing challenges.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous focus on accuracy and precision in testing and documentation.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and reporting.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated ability to suggest and implement process and equipment improvements.
• Team Collaboration: Work effectively with engineers, scientists, and technicians to support quality control, research, and product development.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to handle and manipulate testing materials and equipment; some lifting and manual dexterity may be required.
• Working Conditions: Laboratory and manufacturing environment requiring PPE as appropriate. 

HR Structure:

• Flexible schedule to be determined upon hiring, up to 30 hours per week.
• The pay scale for this position is open and will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications.
• This internship is on-site at the Houston facility. Please note that our lab is still in the process of being built out, with an estimated completion date early spring of 2025.