Research and Development Intern

Summary

Come join us at our Innovation Center for Summer 2025! Our Research and Development Internship offer students hands-on, real-world experience within the company over an 10 - 12 week period. In this role you will work with an experienced mentor to learn the basics for R&D. A specific project will also be assigned to the intern at the beginning of the summer and conclude with a brief report and presentation on the results of the project at the end of the internship.

What can you expect from a Perdue summer internship? 

• Competitive Pay 
• Exciting Social, Philanthropic, and Networking Events with other Perdue Interns
• Hands-On, Real World Work Experience and a Dedicated Summer Mentor 
• Learning Workshops
• Travel to Perdue Locations Such as our Innovation Center, Perdue Learning University and Live Production Farms
• Interaction with Senior Leadership 
• Housing Stipend 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

This position has a target wage of $21.90 - $28.13 per hour, based on shift, experience and qualifications. Overtime may be available.

What You Will Learn & Main Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of benchtop samples, pilot plant production, product cuttings & evaluation, sensory analyses and lab analyses.
• Learn different aspects of how Research and Development areas operate while getting hands-on, real world work experience.
  • Technical areas may include but are not limited to: Product Development, Process Development, Packaging Development and Sensory Analyses
• Travel to different plant operations facilites to observe processes. 
• Summer interns will be exposed to product development, process development, data collection & analyses, sensory and lab analyses. Additionally, a project will be assigned to you at the beginning of the internship, which will culminate with a brief presentation of results and findings. 

Minimum Education

• Must be a rising Junior, Senior or Graduate Student currently pursuing a Bachelors, Masters or PhD degree at an accredited university in a relevant field of study. Meat Science, Food Science, Packaging Science or related majors preferred.
• Must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA or higher

Experience Requirements

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn new software
• Have strong communication skills, including written and verbal
• Must be able to work independently or in teams
• Proactive self-start who works well with minimal supervision
• Positive attitude and a team player
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to details
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs

Experience Preferred

• 3.25 GPA or higher is highly preferred
• Completed college-level classes (Meat Science, Food Chemistry, Packaging or similar courses)
• Student extra-curricular experiences