Intern, Research & Development (R&D)
About The Position
The Research & Development (R&D) Intern will support the Westerville Operations R&D team by assisting with bench-top product development, ingredient experimentation, and ongoing product innovation initiatives. This internship provides hands-on lab exposure and insight into the full product development lifecycle—from formulation testing to documentation and presentation. The intern will contribute to active R&D projects, including ingredient reformulation initiatives, while also completing an independent experimental project to present to the R&D team at the conclusion of the internship. This role is ideal for students pursuing Food Science or a related scientific discipline who are detail-oriented, analytical, and excited to gain real-world laboratory experience in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Culinary Science (with scientific focus), or a related field
- Strong interest in food product development and ingredient functionality
- Lab experience through coursework or prior internships preferred
- Strong documentation and organizational skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic data tracking
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a lab-based environment
- Detail-oriented with the ability to follow procedures precisely
Nice To Haves
- Understanding of food safety principles and regulatory considerations is a plus
- Lab experience through coursework or prior internships preferred
Responsibilities
- Support department initiatives through research, documentation, and project coordination
- Assist with cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Quality, and Production teams
- Attend team meetings, present findings, and share progress with stakeholders
- Participate in internship learning sessions, networking opportunities, and workshops
- Contribute ideas to enhance product quality and innovation
- Assist with bench-top development of new and existing food products
- Support ingredient testing, formulation adjustments, and product evaluations
- Participate in a major initiative focused on replacing synthetic FD&C colors with natural alternatives
- Conduct ingredient functionality trials and document results accurately
- Assist with product specification reviews and technical documentation
- Support shelf-life validation and testing initiatives
- Follow lab protocols, safety standards, and regulatory compliance guidelines
- Complete an independent experimental project and present findings to the R&D team
Benefits
- Hands-on laboratory experience in food product development
- Exposure to real-world formulation challenges and ingredient reformulation initiatives
- Experience working on active R&D projects within a food manufacturing operation
- Opportunity to design and present an independent experimental project
- Professional development workshops and mentorship opportunities
- Networking with interns and leaders across multiple corporate functions
- A portfolio of impactful work that supports meaningful customer experiences
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
