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Internship Food Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The position blends real cooking with the business of food: costing, product analytics, and go-to ... R&D workflow and kitchen technology (e.g., Parsley, Combi Oven automated programs) to keep the ...

... Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking undergraduate students for internship ... development, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning (deep learning/reinforcement learning ...

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related field * 5-7 years of experience in food research & development * Strong leadership and project management skills with the ability to ...

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Internship Food Research Development information

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$2.1K

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How much do internship food research development jobs pay per month?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average monthly pay for internship food research development in the United States is $6,439.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $4,416.67 and $7,666.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Internship Food Research Development positions?

Internship Food Research Development positions are entry-level roles designed for students or recent graduates interested in learning about the research and development side of the food industry. Interns in these positions typically assist with developing new food products, improving existing recipes, conducting laboratory tests, and analyzing data related to food quality and safety. These internships provide hands-on experience working with food scientists, technologists, and other professionals, offering valuable insight into how food products are created and brought to market. Interns may also be involved in sensory evaluations, ingredient sourcing, and documentation processes. This experience helps prepare candidates for future roles in food science, product development, and quality assurance.

What is the difference between Internship Food Research Development vs Food Quality Assurance Intern?

AspectInternship Food Research DevelopmentFood Quality Assurance Intern
CredentialsRelevant coursework in food science, basic lab skillsFood safety certifications, knowledge of quality standards
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departments, product development teamsQuality control labs, production facilities, inspection areas
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, R&D companies, product innovationFood production, safety compliance, quality monitoring
Search & Comparison IntentResearch, product development, innovation rolesQuality assurance, safety standards, compliance roles

Internship Food Research Development focuses on developing new food products and improving existing ones through research and experimentation. In contrast, Food Quality Assurance Interns concentrate on ensuring products meet safety and quality standards during production. Both roles are essential in the food industry but serve different functions within the product lifecycle.

What types of projects can I expect to work on during a Food Research & Development internship?

As a Food Research & Development intern, you will typically assist with projects such as developing new food products, conducting sensory evaluations, and supporting ingredient testing and formulation trials. You may also help with shelf-life studies, quality analysis, and collecting data for process improvements. Collaboration with food scientists, quality assurance teams, and production staff is common, offering you insight into both laboratory and manufacturing environments. These hands-on experiences are valuable for building practical skills and understanding the end-to-end process of food innovation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Food Research Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in an Internship Food Research Development role, you need a solid background in food science or a related field, along with knowledge of laboratory techniques and safety protocols. Familiarity with analytical instruments, data analysis software, and sometimes regulatory systems like HACCP is typically required. Strong attention to detail, curiosity, and effective teamwork and communication skills are highly valued. These abilities ensure accurate research, innovation, and smooth collaboration, all of which are critical for developing safe and high-quality food products.
More about Internship Food Research Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Food Research Development jobs? Cities with the most Internship Food Research Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Research Development jobs? The most popular types of Food Research Development jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Food Research Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Food Research Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Internship Food Research Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,274 per year, or $37.2 per hour.
Research & Development Specialist

Research & Development Specialist

Avery Dennison

Mill Hall, PA

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Avery Dennison rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 60 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 114 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

Company Description

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. We are Making Possible products and solutions that help advance the industries we serve, providing branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste and mitigate loss, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency and better connect brands and consumers. We design and develop labeling and functional materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving industries worldwide - including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive - we employ approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Our reported sales in 2025 were $8.9 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

At Avery Dennison, some of the great benefits we provide are:

  • Health & wellness benefits starting on day 1 of employment
  • Paid parental leave
  • 401K eligibility
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program eligibility / Health Advocate
  • Paid vacation and paid holidays
Job Description

The qualified candidate will be a hands-on R&D Chemist to drive the benchtop synthesis and formulation of next-generation adhesives and coatings for our Label and Graphic Materials (LGM) business. Based at our Mill Hall facility, this role is primarily focused on laboratory-scale polymer development while overseeing the critical transition of these formulations through pilot and full production scale-up.

In this role, you will actively participate in formal new product development and cost-out projects supporting an internal customer base consisting of our commercial PLT, our R&D leadership and downstream coating operations.  You will translate commercial strategies into real-world technical solutions while ensuring those solutions align with manufacturing and cost constraints.  

You will also collaborate with other technology/research teams and business units - keeping current on new/emerging technologies. Additionally, you will be a key catalyst for pipeline innovation - proactively scouting new raw materials and generating a robust, continuous stream of new ideas for novel polymer development and high-impact cost-out initiatives.

Representative Activities:

  • Pipeline Ideation: Proactively scout new raw materials and chemical technologies to build a robust pipeline of novel polymer concepts and high-impact cost-out ideas.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Establish strong, proactive communication channels and drive close alignment with other internal research groups, specifically the Advanced Materials Science (AMS) team. Actively monitor foundational research across the enterprise to seamlessly integrate and translate other technology platforms into commercial LGM products.

  • Bench Development: Synthesize, formulate, and iterate new adhesives and coatings directly on the laboratory benchtop using fundamental adhesion principles.

  • Scale-Up Oversight: Lead the technical transition of new formulations from benchtop concepts through pilot-scale and full production runs.

  • Commercial & PLT Alignment: Partner closely with commercial product managers and Product Line Teams (PLT) to understand market needs, define product requirements, and align laboratory projects with broader business growth strategies.

  • Downstream Operations Support: Serve as the primary technical resource for internal coating plants, understanding their equipment capabilities to support seamless concept development, production trials and troubleshooting during product launch.

  • DoE & Technical Reporting: Design robust experimental plans (DoE), manage laboratory testing, interpret analytical data, and author clear technical reports and presentations for project teams and internal stakeholders.

  • Trial Execution & Travel: Translate product requirements into actionable work plans and travel up to 20% for production trials, customer discovery, and cross-site collaboration.

  • Lab Partnership: Scope, define, and delegate daily testing protocols and project tasks to the Applications Laboratory staff. Work to mentor peers in the lab to help transfer knowledge.

  • Safety Excellence: Maintain a strict, proactive commitment to environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards across both laboratory and manufacturing environments.

Qualifications
  • Minimum BS/MS in Chemistry, Polymer Science, or related field, with at least 3 years experience in polymer design, synthesis, formulating and scale-up. 

  • 2+ years of experience in commercial product development - particularly in the acrylic pressure sensitive industry including high speed coating and drying a plus.   

  • 2+ years of Experience in the application of pressure sensitive adhesives in the label industry is highly desired.

  • Demonstrated knowledge and application of statistical design of experiments.

  • Demonstrated excellent verbal & written communication skills.

  • Well-developed time management skills with the ability to balance and/or lead multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Consistent track record of effective team member roles on multi-functional teams comprised of R&D, Operations, Legal, and Commercial/Customer personnel.

  • Ability to foster creativity/innovation while ensuring project progress and lab efficiency

Additional Information

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and productive work environment, Avery Dennison requires all final candidates to successfully complete a comprehensive background check and a drug screening. These checks are conducted post-offer and are a condition of employment. All results will be considered in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. 

Reasonable Accommodations Notice
If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact (440) 534-6000 or [email protected] to discuss reasonable accommodations.


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