About the role:
We are looking for an analytical, organised and scientifically minded student to join us for a 12-month Research and Development placement to help shape the future of our approach to packaging.
We are launching an initiative to systematically clear a backlog of chemical and physical compatibility testing, remove reliance on single-source suppliers and unlock material cost savings.
This is a rare opportunity to gain valuable experience in packaging testing and database management in an industry-leading R&D Laboratory. If you’re looking for a year in industry where you can move quickly, achieve meaningful goals and build new systems, this is the placement for you.
A Look at Your Day-to-Day:
- Operational Testing: You’ll conduct routine, hands-on physical and chemical compatibility testing on a wide range of packaging formats (films, tubs, pouches) in direct contact with our chemical formulations.
- Storage & Stability Evaluation: You’ll set up and monitor long-term and accelerated storage testing cycles, tracking variables like plastic softening, tear resistance and vapour barriers.
- Database Management: You’ll organise all existing packaging trials into a centralised and standardised digital database.
- Cross-Collaboration: You’ll work closely with the Continuous Improvement and Compliance Manager to review testing data against strict regulatory constraints and ensure all our packaging supports the relevant mandates and standards.
- Liaising with Suppliers: Working alongside and collaborating closely with colleagues, you will communicate with existing and alternative packaging suppliers to request technical specifications and source material samples for testing.
- Lending a Hand: During natural lulls in long-term storage testing cycles, you’ll assist the wider laboratory team with product stability trials and routine chemical quality control (QC) duties.
Where You’ll Make a Real Impact:
- Building Foundations: You will partner with our laboratory chemists and Process Engineer to author formal, repeatable testing protocols with crystal-clear pass/fail criteria that anyone can follow in the future.
- Writing Reports: You’ll write comprehensive, objective evaluation reports comparing existing packaging benchmarks against alternative options, highlighting single-supplier risks.
What We’re Looking For:
- The Essentials: You must be actively enrolled in a relevant undergraduate degree program, working towards a 2:1 degree or higher in Chemistry, or similar analytical science discipline.
- Methodical Mindset: A high level of attention to detail and accuracy. You must be comfortable with methodical, laboratory tasks and data logging.
- Technical Communication: The ability to observe technical processes and translate them into clear, concise, step-by-step written instructions.
- Commercial Awareness: Aptitude for balancing the technical aspects of testing with the commercial realities of a growing manufacturing business.
- System Confident: Proficient in data logging and organising files via Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive) or Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
- Personal Qualities: We are looking for accountability and structure. You are a self-starter who takes pride in organising your own workload, hitting deadlines and collaborating across departments.
About Safeguard:
Our mission is to enable healthy and happy living through secure and protective housing. Since 1983, we’ve pioneered technologies that protect homes from harm. Our solutions shield families from the harmful health effects and wellbeing challenges associated with dampness, mould growth, pest infestations, flooding and more.
We believe that every home should be a healthy home. Our goal is to upskill the world with knowledge and provide the tools needed to prevent damage to building fabric. We support every stage of the remediation and prevention journey, from assisting with defect diagnosis to post-treatment maintenance.
Safeguard offers a unique working environment where products and systems are developed, manufactured and marketed under one roof, giving the team full involvement in an end-to-end process. We encourage an open and collaborative culture that welcomes ideas and contributions from everyone in the business.
A Great Place to Work:
- Time to Recharge: 23 days’ holiday plus national holidays (with additional days the longer you stay with us).
- Health and Support: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential support whenever you need it, plus Life Assurance for peace of mind.
- Financial Future: A company contribution pension scheme.
- Shared Success: Company discretionary bonus.
- Little Extras: Staff discounts, a staff referral scheme, and a friendly, supportive atmosphere.
Pay: From £26,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Are you currently studying for a degree? If so, what is the subject, and what is your current or predicted classification (e.g., 1st, 2:1, 2:2)?"
- Will you have completed the second year of your undergraduate degree by the start of this internship?
Work Location: In person
