Sensory Science Intern Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary
Intern for our RE-MASTER CITRUS team.
In alignment with our strategic partnership with Florida Polytechnic University, this RMC intern role is designed to strengthen applied collaboration, expand our talent pipeline, and embed emerging talent within the Citrus Innovation Center
The intern will support RE-MASTER CITRUS Innovation Projects including Quench and Sunshine to accelerate speed to deploy by pushing projects through development into deployment. This includes supporting key milestones, preparing prototypes, and helping translate innovation into clear, customer-ready solutions. The role will contribute to sensory evaluation activities, including sample preparation, coordination of tastings, and capturing structured feedback to enable rapid iteration and data-driven decision-making. The intern will also support preparation of prototypes and materials used in customer engagements, helping to advance concepts toward scalable, deployable outcomes.
Are you interested in pioneering citrus-based innovation? This is an exciting time to join one of the world's leading flavor companies.
IFF is a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation to create differentiated consumer experiences. We are looking for an Intern to join our RE-MASTER CITRUS™ team at the Citrus Innovation Center in Lakeland, Florida.
IFF's RE-MASTER™ programs accelerate innovation by identifying unmet opportunities through consumer insights, future trend analysis, and a modernized cross-category development approach-ensuring a strong and differentiated innovation pipeline.
Your Focus
As an intern, you will work alongside experienced beverage designers and flavorists to build foundational skills in citrus flavor design and applications. You will gain hands-on experience in lab operations, formulation, and sensory work while supporting both existing product optimization and new product development.
This role is ideal for a student eager to expand their experience within a highly innovative and collaborative environment. Strong organizational and time management skills are essential.
Key Responsibilities

• Support daily lab operations, including sample preparation, batching, and formulation
• Assist in citrus flavor development and applications across beverage and food systems
• Prepare samples for internal tastings, sensory panels, and customer submissions
• Maintain lab organization, including inventory management and material handling
• Document experiments, formulations, and results following R&D best practices
• Participate in tasting sessions and provide sensory feedback
• Collaborate with flavorists, scientists, and cross-functional partners
• Conduct basic lab procedures, including preparation of intermediates and finished flavors
• Support product evaluation and stability testing
• Ensure compliance with lab safety standards, GMPs, and IFF policies

Learning & Development

• Develop foundational knowledge of the citrus flavor portfolio, including functionality and ingredient interactions
• Build hands-on experience with lab equipment, formulation techniques, and sensory evaluation
• Gain exposure to end-to-end innovation, from concept through customer delivery
• Develop understanding of cross-functional roles, including R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Product Experience (PX)

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a college or university
  • Pursuing Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Human Nutrition, or a related field
• Sophomore or above (Bachelor's) or early-stage Master's student
• Basic knowledge of laboratory practices and food safety principles
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Ability to work:
  • Minimum 16 hours/week, with up to 40 hours/week in summer
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without restrictions
• Must pass IFF's internal sensory assessment
• Pre-employment background check and drug screen required

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a food, beverage, or flavor development lab
• Strong interest in citrus, flavor, or beverage innovation
• Basic data analysis and Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel)
• Strong practical math skills (e.g., dilutions, batching calculations)
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively
• Ability to evaluate and differentiate sensory characteristics of flavors
• Self-starter mindset with strong prioritization and organization skills

Why Join IFF?

• Hands-on experience in a world-class citrus innovation center
• Exposure to real customer-driven projects and commercialization
• Opportunity to work with flavorists, scientists, and global innovation teams
• Experience supporting RE-MASTER CITRUS™ and cutting-edge innovation programs
• Development opportunities within a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition

Inclusion & Diversity
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering a diverse range of solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that individuality unlocks our full potential. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where all colleagues can bring their authentic selves to work.
Learn more:
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more