Polymer Solutions and Electrospinning Intern
About the Role:
We are seeking an exceptionally curious and hands-on summer intern to join our technical team in pushing the boundaries of polymer science and nanomanufacturing. This position will sit at the intersection of polymer chemistry and electrical engineering and will focus on understanding how polymer solutions behave under alternating electric fields—especially how impedance varies with frequency and how this correlates to nanofiber morphology.
You’ll work directly with our proprietary electrospinning system, helping to create and test calibration curves for various polymer-solvent systems. Your work will involve preparing polymer solutions, running electrospinning experiments, and evaluating the resulting nanofibers for key physical and performance metrics.
Responsibilities:
Prepare and characterize polymer solutions, considering factors like solubility, viscosity, and colloidal behavior
Design and execute experiments using Rhoic’s novel electrospinner, measuring system impedance and fiber morphology
Analyze how solution properties and applied AC field parameters impact nanofiber formation and characteristics
Investigate literature on electrospinning and bring fresh thinking to optimizing electrospun materials for application-specific performance
Follow rigorous lab safety protocols and maintain a clean, organized workspace
Collaborate closely with the CEO and technical team on experimental design and interpretation
Preferred Qualifications:
Background in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field
Familiarity with polymer chemistry, solvent science, Hansen solubility parameters, and phase behavior
Interest in or exposure to AC electrostatics, dielectric spectroscopy, or impedance measurement
Experience in wet lab environments and comfort handling chemicals and instrumentation
Creative thinker with a methodical mindset and strong scientific curiosity
Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, startup lab setting
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the early days of a platform technology that could reshape multiple industries. You’ll get hands-on experience in a deeply interdisciplinary setting, mentored directly by a CEO with a background in nano-architecture design and materials science. You’ll leave with real experimental results, a deeper understanding of polymer-electrical interactions, and insight into what it’s like to help build a hard-tech startup from the ground up.