Hiring Group: All Students 

Anticipated Start Date: 10/05/2026

Estimated Pay: $16.00 per hour

Number of Jobs Available: 1

Schedule: Mon-Fri., hours flexible based on class schedule

Location: Composites Manufacturing Science Lab

The Center for Composite Materials is an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary center of excellence for composites research and education. Research at CCM ranges from fundamental science to applied engineering, involving multidisciplinary skills from basic physics and chemistry to mechanical engineering, materials science, and chemical engineering.

Primary Responsibilities:

This research position involves hands-on experimental work on composite recycling, polymer-matrix removal, and characterization of reclaimed reinforcing fibers. Students will contribute to developing and evaluating new recycling methods for fiber-reinforced polymer composites.

• Conduct controlled dissolution experiments using different solvents, temperatures, and processing conditions.
• Evaluate dissolution behavior and kinetics through systematic measurements and data analysis.
• Recover, clean, handle, and prepare reclaimed fibers for characterization.
• Prepare specimens and conduct single-filament tensile testing.
• Assist with fiber–matrix interface testing to evaluate the suitability of reclaimed fibers for reuse in composite materials.
• Perform microscopy and other materials-characterization techniques to assess fiber condition and surface quality.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and assist with the analysis and presentation of experimental results.

Qualifications:

• Fundamental knowledge of physics, chemistry, materials science, or engineering.
• Familiarity with Excel; experience with MATLAB, Mathematica, or similar data-analysis software is beneficial.
• Attention to detail and the ability to perform careful, repeatable hands-on laboratory work.
• Willingness to follow chemical-handling and laboratory-safety procedures.
• Curiosity and interest in learning experimental techniques related to composites, polymers, recycling, and materials  characterization.
• Prior laboratory experience is helpful but not required.

This position offers training in composite recycling and fiber-reclamation methods, experimental design, dissolution-kinetics evaluation, optical microscopy, single-filament tensile testing, fiber–matrix interface characterization, and mechanical testing in accordance with relevant ASTM standards, where applicable. Students will gain experience connecting processing conditions to the performance and reusability of reclaimed composite constituents.

Be part of a world-class research organization and build your future today!

Hiring Timeline:

Application Review: September 21-25
Interviews: September 28 - 30
Offers Extended: October 1

Please note that dates are subject to change depending on the needs of the department.

For undergraduate student applicants:

Eligibility for Undergraduate Student Employment

Applicants must be undergraduate students at the University of Delaware. Work study eligibility can be found here. Applicants who are not enrolled as undergraduate students at the University will not be considered for this position. Employment Limitations and Exceptions

For graduate student applicants:

Eligibility for Graduate Student Employment

Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Delaware and be in good academic standing. To be considered for additional on-campus employment, applicants combined on-campus employment, including teaching, research and graduate assistantship, must not exceed 29.5 hours per week.

Graduate students on contract may hold additional employment, on campus or off, up to 29.5 hours per week total without approval by the student’s program, the student advisor or the Graduate College. However, graduate students on contract are encouraged to discuss additional employment with their advisors to avoid any situations that might hinder timely progress toward the degree.