STUDENT INTERNSHIP: Design, development and characterization of energy-curable primers for metal sur

Project proposal:

The projects aims at developing new energy-curable coatings for the HPL (High Pressure Laminates) industry with enhanced mechanical- and surface properties, and will touch upon every aspect of a new coating development – from idea generation to the chemical and physical characterization of the coating to the mechanical testing of the final product. The student will learn how to formulate energy-curable coatings, as well as how to safely handle and work with different chemicals. Further possibilities include the lab-scale production of full HPL panels from the coating resins above, and their characterization according to the most common tests performed in the HPL industry.

Main responsibilities include:

• Conducting literature reviews;
• Drawing hypothesis  and selection of the necessary raw materials for the experiments;
• Design and perform experiments at laboratory scale;
• Collecting, analysing and interpretating the data;
• Following safety procedures.

At the end of the internship period, the student will present his/her findings to the R&D group and produce a written report of the research activity. By then, the student will have learnt:

• Principles of polymers’ structure-properties relationship from direct, hands-on experience;
• Characterization techniques commonly used in the coating industry;
• Theoretical and practical notions of Electron Beam and Ultraviolet equipment and curing process;
• How to write clear and comprehensive work reports and present results in front of a relatively wide audience.

The project will last 3-5 months and will start in October 2025.

Requirements:

• HBO or BSc student with a chemistry/chemical engineering background;
• Knowledge of MS-Office;
• Good English (both written and spoken);
• Basic knowledge of organic chemistry or coating systems is an advantage.

Interested?

Please apply by sending your application (cv and cover letter in English including preferred starting date) to careers@nemho.com or contact us at this email address in case of any questions.