We're looking for a talented chemistry undergraduate or graduate to join our consumables team for a 3-month summer internship as a Quality Control Technician at the intersection of polymer science, surface chemistry, and precision measurement. You'll be trusted with real investigative work from day one: characterising hydrophobicity, running volumetric and liquid-recovery studies, and helping build the technical case for the next generation of low-retention consumables. If you want to see how laboratory chemistry translates into products that accelerate human health research, this is where it happens.
About us:
Based in Cambridge, UK, SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way scientists work. For more than two decades, our expert scientists, engineers, and business innovators have delivered world-leading solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management that help accelerate research and make a real difference to human health. We work collaboratively with our customers, building trusted relationships that enable us to deliver exceptional, personalised experiences designed for real-world lab challenges.
This internship is an opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience inside a fast-growing life-science company where quality is central to everything we make.
ROLE OVERVIEW
A significant focus of this role is the surface behaviour of our consumables, particularly how surface properties influence liquid retention, sample recovery, and dispensing accuracy. Our tips interact with aqueous samples in ways that are directly governed by surface chemistry and micro-geometry: parameters such as contact angle, wetting behaviour, surface energy, and bore-surface finish all affect how reliably a tip aspirates and dispenses. Understanding and characterising these properties is central to how we develop and validate new consumable formats.
You will have the opportunity to investigate how surface modification techniques can be used to engineer the hydrophobicity and low-retention characteristics of polypropylene surfaces. This includes evaluating the performance impact of surface changes through controlled volumetric testing, contact angle measurement, and comparative liquid-recovery studies across tip variants. Where modifications show improvement, you will support the documentation of new test methods and contribute to the technical case for their adoption.
This is a hands-on, lab-based role at the intersection of polymer science, surface chemistry, and precision measurement. You will be trusted with real, investigative work from day one.
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for a curious, detail-oriented chemistry student or recent graduate who is eager to apply laboratory science in an industrial quality context.
Essential:
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Studying towards (or recently completed) a BSc or MChem in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
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Hands-on laboratory experience — from university practical’s, a placement, or independent research.
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Demonstrated attention to detail and an understanding of measurement accuracy and repeatability.
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Confident using Microsoft Word and Excel for recording and analysing data.
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Strong communication skills and a collaborative, proactive attitude.
Desirable (but not essential):
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Familiarity with volumetric or gravimetric analysis, or precision liquid-handling techniques.
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Understanding of polymer chemistry and liquid–surface interactions (e.g. wetting, surface tension, bore-geometry effects on dispensing).
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Exposure to quality frameworks such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, or GMP/GLP environments.
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Experience with statistical process control (SPC), control charts, or capability analysis.
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Previous industrial placement or laboratory work experience.
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
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Mentorship from experienced Science and Manufacturing Engineering professionals.
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Exposure to ISO 9001:2015 quality systems and industry-standard documentation practices.
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Experience with precision analytical instrumentation and volumetric test rigs.
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A clear understanding of how chemistry knowledge is applied in a regulated manufacturing setting.
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Certificate of completion and a professional reference on successful completion of the internship.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
You will be working with talented professionals in a motivated and driven team.
We offer a competitive internship salary, a welcoming on-boarding programme, and the chance to contribute to work that genuinely makes a difference to science.
We embrace diversity and inclusivity regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, or family status. We actively support the diverse needs of everyone on our team.
