TRENDPAC (APR – 2909)

R&D and Innovation Internship: Formulation and New Material Development in Home & Personal Care

Medical, Biological and other Sciences

ABOUT THE INDUSTRY PARTNER

TrendPac is a leading Australian contract manufacturer specialising in the development and production of high-quality home, personal care, and household cleaning products. The organisation partners with major retailers and national brands to deliver innovative, sustainable, and compliant formulations across liquid and gel-based categories.

TrendPac also collaborates with leading Australian universities to support applied research, student development, and innovation partnerships that bridge academic science with real-world manufacturing challenges. These collaborations enhance the company’s research capability, foster new ideas, and promote industry-ready learning experiences for emerging scientists.

With a strong focus on research, development, and technical excellence, TrendPac integrates advanced manufacturing practices, automation, and rigorous quality systems to enhance efficiency, product performance, and environmental responsibility.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Applied Industrial R&D Experience:
Gain immersive, hands-on experience within TrendPac’s R&D division, contributing to the development of new and improved formulations across Home Care and Personal Care categories — including dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners, laundry detergents, and hand wash products.

Technical and Analytical Skill Development:
Collaborate closely with TrendPac chemists & scientists on formulation design, research experimentation, and analytical testing. You will assess new and sustainable raw materials, explore green chemistry technologies, and optimise product performance, quality, and cost-competitiveness

Cross-Functional and Leadership Engagement:
Collaborate with R&D chemists, Quality teams, and process engineers while participating in TrendPac’s fast-paced NPD workflow. You will also have the opportunity to learn directly from senior leadership — including the Chief R&D Officer — and present your technical findings and recommendations to the executive team.

RESEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED

• Conduct formulation and laboratory experiments across Home Care and Personal Care categories.
• Evaluate and benchmark new raw materials, surfactant systems, and sustainable chemistry options.
• Perform performance and analytical testing (viscosity, foaming, pH, stability, cleaning efficacy).
• Assess packaging compatibility and product stability in collaboration with Quality and Technical teams.
• Document results, analyse data, and prepare recommendations for formulation optimisation and scale-up.

SKILLS WISH LIST

If you’re a postgraduate research student and meet some or all the below we want to hear from you. We strongly encourage women, indigenous and disadvantaged candidates to apply.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in chemistry, chemical engineering, or formulation science, with a demonstrated interest in applied research, product development, and laboratory experimentation. A high level of curiosity, analytical thinking, and attention to detail will be critical to success in this project.

Technical and Scientific Skills:

• Background in chemistry, formulation science, or a related discipline.
• Experience with surfactants, emulsions, polymers, or raw material analysis.
• Laboratory and analytical testing experience (pH, viscosity, foam height, stability).
• Understanding or interest in sustainable materials and green chemistry.

Soft and Professional Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Enthusiastic, proactive, and eager to learn in a very fast-moving industrial environment.
• Comfortable presenting research outcomes to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

This role offers the opportunity for a motivated research student to apply and expand their skills.

RESEARCH OUTCOMES

• Development and optimisation of prototype formulations across multiple categories.
• Evaluation and reporting on new materials and surfactant technologies.
• Identification of high-performing, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for market application.
• Documentation of formulation trials, testing results, and recommendations for commercial readiness.
• Presentation of findings and innovation pathways to the Chief R&D Officer and R&D team.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The intern will receive $3,300 per month of the internship, usually in the form of scholarship payments.

It is expected that the intern will primarily undertake this research project during regular business hours and maintain contact with their academic mentor throughout the internship either through face-to-face or phone meetings as appropriate.

The intern and their academic mentor will have the opportunity to negotiate the project’s scope, milestones and timeline during the project planning stage.

Please note, applications are reviewed regularly and this internship may be filled prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable applicant is identified. Early submissions are encouraged.

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