Microbiology Internships Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Description

Oliver Winery is seeking a motivated undergraduate student to join our production team as a Harvest & Enology Intern for the Fall 2026 season. This internship is designed for a senior studying biology and environmental science who is exploring a future career as an enologist (winemaker/wine scientist). The intern will work alongside our winemaking and cellar staff through the critical harvest period and into fermentation and early winemaking, gaining hands-on exposure to the world of commercial wine production.

Internship Details

• Dates: August 25, 2026 - December 18, 2026
• Hours: 15-20 hours per week (schedule adjusted around harvest workload and the student's class schedule)
• Total hours: 150 hours required for academic credit
• Compensation: Paid, hourly position. Academic credit may be available and can be arranged with the student's university department/advisor to run concurrently with paid hours.
• Location: Oliver Winery production facility, Bloomington, Indiana

What You'll Do

• Assist with grape receiving, sorting, and crush operations during harvest
• Collect samples and perform routine lab analysis (Brix, pH, titratable acidity, malic acid, and related fermentation metrics)
• Monitor and record fermentation progress across tanks, including temperature, sugar depletion, and sensory observations.
• Support cellar operations such as pump-overs, pressing, racking, and tank and other winery equipment sanitation
• Assist with lab maintenance, calibration of instruments, and accurate record-keeping/data entry
• Help track and interpret quality control data to support winemaking decisions
• Learn about the environmental and agricultural factors (soil, climate, viticulture practices) that influence grape and wine quality, connecting classroom knowledge in biology and environmental science to real production outcomes
• Participate in team meetings and shadow winemaking staff to understand the full path from vineyard to bottle
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety protocols

Requirements

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a senior (rising senior or final-year undergraduate) pursuing a degree in Fermentation Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field
• Genuine interest in pursuing enology, winemaking, or a related career path
• Coursework or lab experience in chemistry, microbiology, or environmental science preferred
• Comfortable working outdoors and in a fast-paced production environment during harvest, including some early mornings, evenings, weekends, and physically active tasks (lifting up to 50 lbs, standing for extended periods)
• Strong attention to detail and comfort with data collection and record-keeping
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Must be 21 or older (legal drinking age)
• Reliable transportation to the Bloomington facility

Preferred (Not Required)

• Prior experience in a lab, food/beverage production, or agricultural setting
• Familiarity with basic chemistry techniques (titration, spectrophotometry, etc.)
• Interest in eventually pursuing graduate study or certification in enology/viticulture

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the internship, the student will have direct, hands-on experience with the harvest-to-fermentation process, foundational lab skills used in commercial winemaking, and a clearer understanding of what a career in enology involves - knowledge that can inform graduate school or job decisions after graduation.

Academic Credit

This internship is structured to meet a 150-hour requirement for academic credit. Oliver Winery is happy to work with the student's university (advisor, internship coordinator, or department) on any required paperwork, learning agreements, or supervisor evaluations.

How to Apply

Interested students should submit a resume and a brief statement of interest describing their academic background and why they're interested in enology. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, as the position begins August 25, 2026.

 
This document is confidential and contains proprietary information and intellectual property of Oliver Winery, Inc. Disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this document and the information contained therein is strictly prohibited. 2025 OLIVER WINERY & VINEYARDS, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47404 | OLIVER IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF OLIVER WINE COMPANY, INC. EOE