Summary:
AesculaTech is more than a biotechnology company; it is a shared vision that cutting edge materials can personalize products and improve lives. The Material Development Team (MDT) is the core of our product development process. It engineers revolutionary molecules for next-generation products in several markets. The Polymer Engineering Internship is a paid, 40 hr/wk, on-site research position in Pasadena, CA focused on the development of novel materials using polymer science. A successful applicant will learn how to use principles of polymer chemistry to control material properties and design novel materials. Essential responsibilities include polymer synthesis, exploratory research, and maintaining the state of the lab and its equipment, offering independent candidates the ability to not only perform research but also weigh in on its direction. Expect to learn about chemical engineering, polymer science, industries where these materials are applied, and the familiar yet mysterious world of synthetic materials.
Minimum Requirements:
- Pursuing a degree or recent graduate in chemical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, material science, or related field
- Minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Comfortable with basic laboratory equipment, measurement practices and procedures
- Demonstrated chemistry knowledge, skillset, or interest
- Capable of supervised but independent research, including experiment design, data management, and providing constructive analysis to inform future directions
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to prepare presentations and present information independently to project stakeholders
- Organized, self-motivated, and capable of working independently
- Proficiency with MS Office and Google Workspace
Essential Responsibilities:
- Conduct guided research with various industrially important monomers and polymers
- Cultivate a strong understanding of polymer science and structure-property relationships
- Meet regularly with the MDT to discuss development challenges
- Research potential reagents or tools to support polymer development, product development or broader MDT objectives
- Independently research potential reagents or tools to support polymer development, product development or broader MDT objectives
- Maintain organized notebooks, R&D material catalogs, and meeting notes
- Present data, research topics, or synthetic information to the MDT
- Write and review technical reports and other documentation
- Be committed to learning and integrating compliance and safety procedures
- Support the growth and development of AesculaTech as a whole, contributing to projects or processes that are important for the company even if they are not covered by the responsibilities listed above
About AesculaTech
AesculaTech was founded to bring revolutionary materials to the medical device industry. Imagine a product that can adapt to your body – taking its shape or hardening on contact. Our team specializes in the design of molecules that make this possible. Using chemical engineering, we create intelligent materials with tunable responses to their environment. The first of their kind, these smart materials offer next-generation products in healthcare, consumer products, and beyond. Please visit our website at to learn more!
An award-winning startup, AesculaTech was named a Rosenman Innovator by the Rosenman Institute, the medical device arm of QB3, for their pioneering medical device development and participated in the accelerator programs Y Combinator and TMCx. The company was also the recipient of a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant and a recent finalist in the 2019 Octane High Tech Awards. We are led by one of MIT Tech Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35.
AesculaTech is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.