Job Description

Role

About the role:

This is a 12-week paid internship opportunity with Books & Pieces as part of the WMG Internship Programme.

This role involves creating a printable paper-like product from waste plastics. With both lab and desk-based elements, you will be required to research, test and reprocess waste plastics streams to produce this innovative product. This will then be evaluated by Books and Pieces to confirm it meets their printable requirements. The product must be safe for the consumer groups it is intended to be used for.

The ideal candidate will be a quick learner, be able to work independently, possess some manufacturing experience and have a passion for plastics recycling and sustainability.

This internship will benefit your:

• Sustainable development skills with a focus on NetZero
• Project management skills
• Maximise your skills in materials characterisation & as a chemist/materials engineer
• Enhance your knowledge surrounding circular economy and plastics recycling - reuse/reduce

The internship is based at WMG and you will be working closely with the Books and Pieces Ltd. team, gaining experience in manufacturing processes and recycling. As part of the Programme, you will also benefit from weekly supervision and support by a WMG expert, throughout the duration of the project.

About the company:

Book & Pieces is an independent online bookstore for 0-6-year-olds established in 2012 and operating from West Yorkshire.

Books play such an important role in young children\'s development, but current publishing methods mean production is far from earth-kind. It\'s our mission to create a range of sustainable books for babies and toddlers, contributing to the creation and growth of a circular economy for publishing.

Duties and responsibilities

You will lead a project to develop a new and innovative product using recycled plastic. Continuing earlier research with the WMG, key tasks and activities will include:

• Researching and identifying the best plastic materials for reprocessing to paper-like consistency
• Reprocessing waste plastics into a printable \'paper-like\' format
• Identifying suitable waste plastic supply sources
• In conjunction with academic and industry partners, work towards producing a market-ready demonstrator
• Identifying a potential scalable and commercial manufacturing process for the product
• Providing weekly updates to the internship supervisor and the company directors

Skills and experience

ESSENTIAL:

• Graduate (2:1 minimum) or postgraduate qualified in Chemistry, Materials Science or Manufacturing
• Practical laboratory or engineering experience
• Experience carrying out literature reviews and/or market research
• A passion and understanding of environmental sustainability and circular economy
• Good understanding of materials manufacturing or production, specifically plastics
• Good verbal and written communication, time management and organisational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, self-motivated, driven and proactive

DESIRABLE:

• Research experience in plastics and polymers
• Good understanding of Health and Safety for consumer products
• An interest in the publishing industry

Location
Books & Pieces - Priory House 18 Church Street, Ilkley, BD21 4JH \xe2\x80\xa2 WMG Campus, University Way, Coventry, CV4 7AL

Additional information

This is an 12 week position.

Application Guidelines

This role is part of the WMG Internship Programme. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider you for this internship if you are applying for this to count towards a work placement as part of your studies.

This role is open to students, graduates, postgraduates and PhD Students who are:

• Based in the UK
• Eligible to work in the UK
• Available to work 36.5 Hours per week (Full time)

To Apply

Please send CV and Cover letter indicating:

• Where you heard about this position
• How you meet the skills and experience criteria.

Applications will close at 23:59 on Thursday 7th September 23.

University of Warwick