Are you a chemistry or chemical engineering student looking to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in a world-class manufacturing environment? FUCHS Lubricants South Africa is offering a 12-month Research and Development Internship at its Isando, Johannesburg facility — a rare opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in one of the most technically demanding sectors in the industry.
About FUCHS
FUCHS is the world’s largest independent supplier of innovative lubrication solutions, operating across more than 50 countries with a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. From automotive and mining to food processing and aerospace, FUCHS products keep industries moving. The company’s success is built not only on the quality of its lubricants but on the expertise and entrepreneurial spirit of the people behind them. Joining FUCHS means joining a business that values visibility — where your ideas, initiative, and contributions are recognised and encouraged.
The Role
As a Research and Development Intern at the Isando facility, you will be embedded in the laboratory environment and exposed to the full spectrum of product testing, quality assurance, and technical development activities. This is not an administrative or passive internship — you will be actively involved in technical work from day one.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include testing finished product samples from the plant against FUCHS product specification documents, as well as evaluating raw materials, bulk additives, and base oils against established QC limits. You will assist R&D and technical teams on ongoing projects and participate in the reformulation of existing products where required — either in response to process changes or based on statistical evaluation of laboratory test data.
The role also involves acting as a liaison between the laboratory and the factory floor, coordinating activities and ensuring effective communication between teams. You will contribute to the investigation of customer complaints and non-conformance issues, playing a direct role in maintaining and improving product quality standards.
What You Will Gain
This internship offers far more than a line on your CV. Over the course of 12 months, you will receive continuous coaching and mentoring from qualified professionals, develop practical laboratory and technical skills, and gain exposure to real manufacturing challenges in a globally recognised company. The experience is structured to give you a well-rounded foundation in chemical analysis, quality control, and product development within the lubricants industry.
Who Should Apply
FUCHS is looking for candidates who hold a Grade 12 National Senior Certificate and are studying towards — or have completed — a National Diploma or BSc in Analytical Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. A genuine interest in laboratory work, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively across teams will set strong candidates apart.
Apply Now
If you have questions about the role or the application process, reach out directly to ZA-vacancies@fuchs.com.
This is your opportunity to be seen, to grow, and to contribute to solutions that quite literally keep the world moving. Positions of this nature are limited — apply early.
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