Internship - Research & Development Pet Food Applications Scientist

General Mills • Golden Valley, MN

30d • $24 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

The General Mills Research & Development Internship is a great way to kick-off your career. You will build broad experience in technical foundations, functional depth, and professional development. You'll develop and enhance your digital skills, gaining experience in data analysis, project management, and/or collaboration tools. The internship allows candidates to demonstrate leadership, embrace a learning mindset, build a strong network of peers, develop business context, and learn the General Mills and Innovation, Technology & Quality (ITQ) culture.
As an R&D Pet Food Applications Scientist Intern, you will experience a robust 10-week internship with hopes that you’ll roll into our full-time R&D Leadership Development Program upon graduation. During your internship you will:
Create new products with an emphasis on consumer-first design
Improve existing products and optimize formulas for pet and pet parent appeal, manufacturing, and cost
Leverage knowledge of animal science/nutrition and ingredient functionality to develop remarkable products
Create new, improve existing, and eliminate waste from products and processes
Champion food safety, pet safety, pet parent insights, and product quality from product design through production
Collaborate with cross-functional partners to build and grow our businesses
Develop a sound understanding of pet food product development, formulation, and technical considerations through the execution of experiments and pilot plant trials
Leverage pet, pet parent, and customer insights and translate them into concepts, prototypes, and commercial offerings
Develop technical depth and business acumen
Apply or build digital tools to accelerate learning
Solve technical problems leveraging new or existing digital tools
Impact people’s and pet’s lives and communities
WHERE WILL I WORK?
James Ford Bell Technical Center in Minneapolis, MN

Requirements

• Pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D. in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition or related degree
• Graduating in Winter 2026 or Spring 2027

Nice To Haves

• Strong academic record
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results and a commitment to developing technical and business skills
• Adaptability, curiosity, and inventiveness
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, passion for R&D, enthusiasm, and the ability to conduct themselves professionally
• Demonstrated leadership experience in academic projects, extracurricular activities, or previous work experiences

Responsibilities

• Create new products with an emphasis on consumer-first design
• Improve existing products and optimize formulas for pet and pet parent appeal, manufacturing, and cost
• Leverage knowledge of animal science/nutrition and ingredient functionality to develop remarkable products
• Create new, improve existing, and eliminate waste from products and processes
• Champion food safety, pet safety, pet parent insights, and product quality from product design through production
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to build and grow our businesses
• Develop a sound understanding of pet food product development, formulation, and technical considerations through the execution of experiments and pilot plant trials
• Leverage pet, pet parent, and customer insights and translate them into concepts, prototypes, and commercial offerings
• Develop technical depth and business acumen
• Apply or build digital tools to accelerate learning
• Solve technical problems leveraging new or existing digital tools
• Impact people’s and pet’s lives and communities

Benefits

• Relocation assistance (if eligible)
• Partially subsidized housing & relocation assistance (if applicable & requirements are met)
• A summer of learning and fun featuring networking opportunities with company leaders
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Wellbeing resources
• Other valuable perks

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees