Probiotic Lab Co-op

IFF • Madison, WI

19h • Onsite

About The Position

Are you passionate about hands‑on laboratory experience and excited to contribute to innovative probiotic research? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Our Health & Biosciences business unit channels our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life‑enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer and industrial markets. This co‑op is based on-site in Madison, Wisconsin (United States). Be part of a motivated, collaborative and growth‑oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration. Where You’ll Make a Difference Support daily laboratory operations, including media preparation for enumeration. Operate autoclave equipment and conduct glassware washing and sterilization. Assist in maintaining shared laboratory spaces, including restocking supplies. Perform microbiological and molecular methods to support probiotic research. Contribute to experiments investigating probiotic applications in supplements and food products. Develop an understanding of internal IFF probiotic R&D projects. Participate in role‑specific training and development sessions. Collaborate with experienced research associates and scientists. Ensure compliance with lab safety policies, procedures, and good laboratory practices. What Makes You the Right Fit Currently enrolled as a full‑time student at an accredited college or university. Sophomore or above in a bachelor’s program, or first‑year student in a master’s program. Pursuing a degree in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Food Science, Biology or a related field. GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and SharePoint. Ability to work according to the co‑op schedule structure: A minimum of 16 hours/week but up to Full‑time (40 hours/week) during the summer, and A minimum of 16 hours/week during the academic term, following a set schedule. Authorization to work in the U.S. without restrictions. How Would You Stand Out? Strong interpersonal skills and leadership experience (e.g., community service). Prior laboratory experience (academic or industry). Strong ability to independently coordinate and prioritize work. Experience working on research, customer‑facing, or regulatory‑related projects. Why Choose Us? Full‑time opportunity during summer months. Hands‑on experience in an innovative industrial R&D laboratory. Exposure to cutting‑edge probiotic research and real‑world application. Opportunity to collaborate with highly skilled scientists and research associates. Development and learning opportunities within a global industry leader. We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability. Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more At IFF, we make joy through science, creativity and heart. As the global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences, we deliver groundbreaking, sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products – advancing wellness, delighting the senses and enhancing the human experience. We value an inclusive, creative workplace where all individuals can thrive and do their best work. We consider all qualified candidates equally and based on merit, without regard to religion, ethnicity, national origin, race, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or disability.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled as a full‑time student at an accredited college or university.
• Sophomore or above in a bachelor’s program, or first‑year student in a master’s program.
• Pursuing a degree in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Food Science, Biology or a related field.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and SharePoint.
• Ability to work according to the co‑op schedule structure: A minimum of 16 hours/week but up to Full‑time (40 hours/week) during the summer, and A minimum of 16 hours/week during the academic term, following a set schedule.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without restrictions.

Nice To Haves

• Strong interpersonal skills and leadership experience (e.g., community service).
• Prior laboratory experience (academic or industry).
• Strong ability to independently coordinate and prioritize work.
• Experience working on research, customer‑facing, or regulatory‑related projects.

Responsibilities

• Support daily laboratory operations, including media preparation for enumeration.
• Operate autoclave equipment and conduct glassware washing and sterilization.
• Assist in maintaining shared laboratory spaces, including restocking supplies.
• Perform microbiological and molecular methods to support probiotic research.
• Contribute to experiments investigating probiotic applications in supplements and food products.
• Develop an understanding of internal IFF probiotic R&D projects.
• Participate in role‑specific training and development sessions.
• Collaborate with experienced research associates and scientists.
• Ensure compliance with lab safety policies, procedures, and good laboratory practices.

Benefits

• Full‑time opportunity during summer months.
• Hands‑on experience in an innovative industrial R&D laboratory.
• Exposure to cutting‑edge probiotic research and real‑world application.
• Opportunity to collaborate with highly skilled scientists and research associates.
• Development and learning opportunities within a global industry leader.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern