Food Science Internship Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Cambium Analytica - an NSF company - is expanding its analytical laboratory operations in Traverse City, Michigan to support growth in dietary supplements, food and beverage, ingredients and botanicals, and cosmetics testing. The Scientist I - Chemistry is a hands-on R&D role contributing to that expansion, focused on executing analytical method development, optimization, validation, and verification work under the direction of a Senior Scientist. 

The Scientist I works primarily within liquid chromatography - including both mass spectrometric and UV detection - and supports complementary wet chemistry and bench techniques as needed. Day-to-day, the Scientist I executes experimental work, documents results in Cambium Analytica's method development pipeline, drafts sections of controlled method and validation documents, and partners with senior team members to troubleshoot technical challenges. 

We are looking for a careful, curious, hands-on chemist who takes ownership of their work, communicates clearly when something isn't going as expected, and has the analytical discipline to produce data that can be defended under ISO 17025 review. 

With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.

One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we're one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.

Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.

NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

• B.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline. An M.S. is acceptable and welcome but not required. 
• Minimum of 0.5-3 years of hands-on analytical chemistry experience in a laboratory setting (contract lab, pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, food testing, academic research lab, or equivalent). Recent graduates with strong relevant internship or research experience will be considered.
• Hands-on experience with liquid chromatography, including both LC-MS and HPLC-UV/ DAD platforms - including sample preparation, instrument operation, method execution, and basic data interpretation. 
• Proficiency with chromatography data systems such as ChemStation, MassHunter, Empower, or equivalent. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document experimental work clearly in laboratory notebooks and draft sections of technical reports. 
• Demonstrated attention to detail, careful bench technique, and ability to follow complex written procedures precisely. 

• Working familiarity with good laboratory practices and basic quality systems expectations. 

Preferred 

• Experience with wet chemistry and classical bench techniques, including titrations (acidbase, Karl Fischer, redox) and UV/Vis spectroscopy. 
• Experience analyzing natural product matrices - dietary supplements, botanicals, functional foods, ingredients, or equivalent. 
• Exposure to compendial methods (USP, FCC, AOAC) and an understanding of how compendial verification differs from full validation.
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, even at an introductory level. 
• Experience with additional analytical techniques such as GC, ICP-MS, FTIR, or related instrumentation. 
• Exposure to LIMS systems or electronic laboratory documentation tools. 

M.S. in Analytical Chemistry or related discipline

Liquid Chromatography Method Work 

• Execute method development, optimization, and troubleshooting work on LC-MS and HPLC-UV/DAD platforms under the direction of a Senior Scientist. 
• Perform validation and verification experiments on compendial and in-house methods, following protocols designed with the senior team - including accuracy, precision, specificity, LOD/LOQ, linearity, and system suitability studies as applicable. 
• Select and evaluate columns, mobile phases, sample preparation approaches, and detection parameters under guidance, developing increasing judgment over time. 
• Troubleshoot chromatographic and instrument issues - poor peak shape, retention drift, sensitivity loss, baseline noise, carryover - and escalate appropriately when problems require senior input. 

• Prepare mobile phases, reagents, standards, and samples with careful attention to technique, accuracy, and documentation. 

2. Wet Chemistry & Bench Techniques 

• Execute bench chemistry techniques including titrations (acid-base, Karl Fischer, redox), UV/Vis spectroscopy, gravimetric analysis, and related classical methods. 
• Maintain precise, accurate technique on balances, pipettes, glassware, and related lab equipment - recognizing that classical methods demand careful hands and attention to small details. 
• Support compendial wet chemistry methods from USP, FCC, AOAC, and equivalent frameworks, including verification under ISO 17025.

• Contribute to sample preparation workflows that support both chromatographic and bench methods, including extraction, dilution, filtration, and derivatization as needed. 

3. Documentation & Data Integrity 

• Record all experimental work in Cambium Analytica's method development pipeline, following documentation standards for laboratory notebooks, data files, and versioned documents. 

• Draft sections of controlled documents - test methods (TM), validation protocols (VP), validation reports (VR), and verification reports - for senior review and finalization. 

• Analyze chromatographic and spectroscopic data using vendor software (ChemStation, MassHunter, Empower, or equivalent), and present results clearly to the senior team. 

• Maintain audit-ready records - raw data, calculations, controls, deviations - that can withstand internal quality review and external accreditation inspection. 

• Flag anomalies, out-of-specification results, and deviations promptly rather than assuming they will resolve themselves. 

4. Team Contribution & Professional Growth 

• Work alongside other scientists on the R&D team, contributing to shared projects, crosstraining, and team problem-solving. 

Participate actively in team meetings, technical reviews, and method discussions - asking questions, offering observations, and absorbing knowledge from more experienced team members. 

• Take ownership of your own development: identify gaps in your technical knowledge, pursue learning opportunities, and seek feedback from Senior Scientists. 

• Over time, take on increasing project scope and independence as capability grows. 

Secondary Roles & Responsibilities 

1. Laboratory & Instrument Support 

• Perform routine maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and system suitability checks on LC-MS and HPLC instruments under guidance from senior team members. 
• Monitor reagent, solvent, consumable, and reference standard inventories relevant to active projects, and flag items requiring reorder. 

• Maintain a clean, organized bench and shared lab space consistent with good laboratory practice and safety expectations. 

2. Cross-Functional Support 

• Support method transfer activities when methods move from R&D into the production analytical team - including training support, troubleshooting, and documentation clarification. 
• Partner with Quality on verification and validation work as directed, ensuring compliance and documentation expectations are met.

• Perform additional duties as the role evolves or as directed by the Senior Scientist or Director of R&D. 

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