Research Intern: Polymer Composite

Job Number: P25INT-52

Honda Research Institute USA (HRI-US) is seeking an innovative intern with a background in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline to contribute to the development of advanced photocatalytic membrane structures formed from electrospun composite materials. The ideal candidate has experience in polymer processing, electrospinning, membrane fabrication, or functional composite materials, and an understanding of structure–property relationships. Experience with photocatalytic materials, nanomaterials, environmental remediation, or translating laboratory-scale materials into practical applications is highly desirable.

Columbus, OH

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of nanoparticle suspensions and polymer solutions.
• Fabricate electrospun composite membranes and advanced functional materials.
• Lead the synthesis, characterization, and modeling of material processing parameters.
• Coordinate with university collaborators to validate material performance.
• Establish structure–property–performance relationships to optimize material design and processing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with nanoparticle synthesis, polymer processing, polymer nanocomposites fabrication techniques, hydrogels, electrospinning, laser cutting or laser processing, or related materials-processing techniques.
• Experience with photocatalytic hydrogen-production measurements, including hydrogen evolution rates, gas analysis. Experience with photocatalytic degradation may be considered relevant analogous experience.
• Proficiency in materials characterization and data analysis using techniques such as SEM, TEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and contact-angle measurements.
• Understanding of photocatalytic hydrogen-generation systems, reaction mechanisms, charge-carrier generation and transfer, band alignment, and structure–property–performance relationships.
• Ability to process and interpret hydrogen-evolution and materials-characterization data, including calibration and normalization of gas-production measurements, identification of performance trends, and optimization of material formulations and processing parameters.

Bonus Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with molecular dynamics simulations and computational materials modeling

Years of Work Experience Required

0

Desired Start Date

9/21/2026

Internship Duration

3 months, but may extend to 6 months based off business need

Position Keywords

Electrospinning, polymer nanocomposites, photocatalysts, nanoparticle generation, laser processing

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