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Internship Research Development Chef Jobs in Chicago, IL

Summary Title: R&D Process Development Engineer Location: Chicago, IL Compensation: Competitive ... Demonstrated self-direction - clear evidence you've owned something end to end (an internship or ...

R&D Intern - Summer 2027

Burr Ridge, IL ยท On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Successful interns will have exceptional technical andleadership skills and the ability to ... R&D internship opportunities are available for students in thefollowing areas. * Advanced Process ...

R&D Intern - Summer 2027

Burr Ridge, IL ยท On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Successful interns will have exceptional technical andleadership skills and the ability to ... R&D internship opportunities are available for students in thefollowing areas. * Advanced Process ...

Showing results 21-40

Internship Research Development Chef information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$9

$17

$25

How much do internship research development chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship research development chef in Chicago, IL is $17.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship research development chef?

An Internship Research Development Chef is a culinary professional in training who works alongside experienced chefs and food scientists to create, test, and improve new recipes, food products, or menu items. This role combines hands-on kitchen experience with research and experimentation to develop innovative culinary concepts, often for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality companies. Interns in this position learn about food science, ingredient functionality, and food trends, while gaining practical skills in recipe development and product testing. The internship is a valuable stepping stone for those interested in a culinary career focused on creativity and innovation.

What types of projects and collaborations can an internship research development chef expect to participate in during their placement?

As an Internship Research Development Chef, you will typically be involved in hands-on projects such as developing new recipes, testing food prototypes, and assisting in sensory evaluations. Collaborations are common with cross-functional teams including food scientists, marketing specialists, and production staff, giving you exposure to the entire product development cycle. You may also participate in brainstorming sessions, pilot plant trials, and presentations to stakeholders, which helps build both creative and technical skills. This role is a great opportunity to learn from experienced chefs and food technologists while contributing to innovative culinary solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship research development chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Research Development Chef, you need a solid grounding in culinary techniques, food science, and recipe development, often supported by culinary school coursework or a related degree. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and adherence to food safety standards is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help you stand out in this collaborative and innovative environment. These skills are crucial for developing successful new products, ensuring quality, and effectively contributing to culinary research projects.

What is the difference between Internship Research Development Chef vs Research and Development Chef?

AspectInternship Research Development ChefResearch and Development Chef
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate, culinary or food science degreeProfessional culinary or food science certification, extensive experience
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, entry-levelFull-time, innovative kitchen or R&D department
Employer & IndustryFood companies, restaurants, hospitality industryFood manufacturing, product development, culinary innovation
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles, learning opportunitiesExploring professional R&D careers, advanced roles

The Internship Research Development Chef is an entry-level position focused on learning and supporting R&D projects, often held by students or recent graduates. In contrast, a Research and Development Chef is a seasoned professional responsible for creating and testing new food products. The internship provides foundational experience, while the R&D Chef leads innovation efforts in the industry.

What are popular job titles related to Internship Research Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Internship Research Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Internship Research Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Research Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Internship Research Development Chef jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Internship Research Development Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Internship Research Development Chef job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Internship, 40% Full Time, 43% Part Time, and 3% Summer. Highlights an 94% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,504 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

R&D Process Development Engineer

Numat

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 hours ago


Job description

Summary
Title: R&D Process Development Engineer
Location: Chicago, IL
Compensation: Competitive salary and equity package
Benefits include: Family Health, Dental, Vision; Flexible PTO, FSA Benefits, 401K Savings Plan, Paid Parental Leave, and Long-term Disability Insurance
Reports to: R&D Director
The Company
Numat is a global leader in the field of precision chemistries. Numat's solutions are changing the way industries around the world capture and separate hazardous chemicals that negatively impact human health and the environment.
Numat has been at the forefront of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) research and production for over a decade, and is the first company to successfully commercialize MOFs. The company's world-class platform integrates MOFs into existing products and processes, merging chemistry innovation with manufacturing at industrial scale.
Through bold and transformative chemistry, Numat helps its global customers and partners make meaningful progress toward their net zero and innovation objectives. Be a part of something bigger, join our team.
Position Overview
This is an early-career R&D role for an engineer who wants to learn how new materials become real products - by owning problems and solving them. You'll join our development group, working across both of our technology areas - fabrics and adsorbents - alongside the scientists and engineers building Numat's current and next-generation products.
The work is experimental at its core. You'll design and run experiments and DOEs that reduce product and process variability, work out how process settings and raw-material variation drive each product's critical quality attributes (CQAs), and help carry our technology from lab and pilot scale toward robust, repeatable processes ready for commercial production.
You'll work hands-on with our pilot and process equipment. Expect to design experiments, run the equipment, interpret the data, and build the technology transfer packages that carry your findings forward.
Responsibilities
You will work on a varied set of instrumentation/projects and have a diverse set of responsibilities including:
Design and run experiments that move the technology forward
  • Plan, design, and execute experiments and DOEs that reduce product and process variability across fabrics and adsorbents.
  • Develop and mature our processes from lab and pilot scale toward robust, repeatable commercial production; contribute to demonstration runs and process-capability assessment.
  • Identify sources of variation, form and test hypotheses, and drive corrective and improvement actions.
  • Analyze the data and turn it into clear conclusions - including how process settings and raw-material variation drive each product's critical quality attributes (CQAs): the few measurable properties that determine whether the product performs.
  • Help define and hold the process windows and specifications that keep output consistent.
  • Document processes and findings so they transfer cleanly out of R&D and into manufacturing.

Run the pilot line equipment
  • Support running Numat's pilot processing equipment - the pilot spunbond and pilot meltblown nonwoven lines and the lamination machine - including setup, development runs, changeovers, and routine adjustments.
  • Support producing in-house nonwoven and laminated material on this equipment for current- and next-generation development.
  • Cut, prepare, and condition swatches and test articles to defined, repeatable methods.
  • Run our in-house performance proxy test; capture, record, and report results cleanly.
  • Perform small-scale lamination property testing, and prepare and support material for pilot and external production runs.

Manage samples, data, and inventory
  • Prepare, document, and ship samples to external testing partners, and receive and reconcile samples coming back from external trials.
  • Build and improve the workflows, data capture, and methods that make the group's development work faster and more repeatable.
  • Enter test and run data accurately and on time so the engineers and technologists work from clean information.

Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree in chemical, materials, or mechanical engineering, or a related physical science; recent graduate or early-career (~0-5 years).
  • R&D experience highly preferred - an internship, co-op, or industry role in a research & development or product/process development environment, where you designed experiments and learned from the results.
  • Demonstrated self-direction - clear evidence you've owned something end to end (an internship or capstone project, something you built, a problem you chased without being told to).
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a working foundation in statistics, DOE, or data analysis.
  • Genuine interest in hands-on experimental work - comfortable on the floor around process equipment, not only at a desk.
  • A clear communicator who documents and organizes work well, with good judgment about when to decide and when to ask.
  • Ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods; ability to bend, stoop, reach and lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Exposure to any of: nonwovens, textiles, membranes, lamination, or coating; or particle/granulation, chemical synthesis, or adsorbent materials.
  • Familiarity with DOE / data-analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP, Python).
  • Willingness to travel occasionally to external production and testing partners.

Work Authorization
This position is not eligible for immigration support now or in the future, including filing employment-based visa petitions (e.g., H-1B, O-1, TN, E-3) or F-1 work authorization (including CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT extension), or permanent residence sponsorship.
NOTE: NO AGENCIES
Numat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or an unfavorable discharge from military service. We at Numat are committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.