Post Harvest - Genetics Intern

Driscoll’s • Watsonville, CA

46d • Onsite

About The Position

About the Opportunity We are seeking a highly motivated intern to join our Postharvest R&D team, which studies the phenotypic, genetic, and physiological factors that impact fruit quality and shelf-life in berries. This role supports Driscoll’s core purpose of delighting consumers by advancing research that strengthens postharvest performance. The internship will focus on deepening our understanding of flavor inconsistency, color development during ripening, and other key postharvest traits that shape overall berry quality. The intern will collaborate with cross functional R&D teams to characterize these traits and contribute to broader research initiatives aligned with company priorities and the intern’s scientific interests. Responsibilities Develop, measure and optimize biochemical, physiological, analytical and other relevant methods to quantify flavor inconsistency, color development during ripening and other key postharvest traits in berries. Perform postharvest shelf life and quality evaluations on diverse berry types. Operate and maintain analytical laboratory equipment. Collect, enter, curate and analyze phenotypic postharvest data. Maintains measurement and testing equipment in operational condition. Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work environment. Collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including postharvest, breeding, sensory and next gen breeding groups. Ensures protection of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials. Represents Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with co-workers, suppliers, customers, and the business community at large. Other duties as assigned. Candidate Profile This is an on‑site 4-month internship based in Watsonville, CA, ideally running from May/June to September/October Requirements Be currently enrolled as an advanced undergraduate in plant biology, horticulture, biochemistry, or an agriculture-related field. Understand scientific methods, including setting up lab experiments and testing a hypothesis. Ability to work in both a research lab and an outdoor field environment. Great data collection, data analysis, and interpretation skills. Precision in lab record/data keeping. Experience with image processing software like ImageJ. Excellent communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional research teams. Proficient in Microsoft Excel/Word/PowerPoint. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. California driver’s license and the ability to be covered under a company-sponsored vehicle insurance program. Preferred Qualifications & Leadership Competencies Experience with lab analytical, molecular, and biochemical laboratory methods relevant to fruit ripening or postharvest biology. Prior experience with data analysis and data management Plans & Aligns: Establishes priorities and desired outcomes and creates plans to achieve them. Drives Results: Pursues everything with energy, resourcefulness, and the need to achieve desired outcomes. Collaborates: Works with a variety of colleagues, inside and/or outside of Driscoll’s, seeking win-win solutions.

Requirements

• Be currently enrolled as an advanced undergraduate in plant biology, horticulture, biochemistry, or an agriculture-related field.
• Understand scientific methods, including setting up lab experiments and testing a hypothesis.
• Ability to work in both a research lab and an outdoor field environment.
• Great data collection, data analysis, and interpretation skills.
• Precision in lab record/data keeping.
• Experience with image processing software like ImageJ.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional research teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel/Word/PowerPoint.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
• California driver’s license and the ability to be covered under a company-sponsored vehicle insurance program.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with lab analytical, molecular, and biochemical laboratory methods relevant to fruit ripening or postharvest biology.
• Prior experience with data analysis and data management
• Plans & Aligns: Establishes priorities and desired outcomes and creates plans to achieve them.
• Drives Results: Pursues everything with energy, resourcefulness, and the need to achieve desired outcomes.
• Collaborates: Works with a variety of colleagues, inside and/or outside of Driscoll’s, seeking win-win solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop, measure and optimize biochemical, physiological, analytical and other relevant methods to quantify flavor inconsistency, color development during ripening and other key postharvest traits in berries.
• Perform postharvest shelf life and quality evaluations on diverse berry types.
• Operate and maintain analytical laboratory equipment.
• Collect, enter, curate and analyze phenotypic postharvest data.
• Maintains measurement and testing equipment in operational condition.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work environment.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including postharvest, breeding, sensory and next gen breeding groups.
• Ensures protection of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials.
• Represents Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with co-workers, suppliers, customers, and the business community at large.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern