Food Science Internship - Shelf Life Master Database Project

Hilton Foods; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Hilton Foods offers a summer internship in Food Science focused on building a centralised Shelf Life Master Database. You will consolidate shelf-life, microbiological, and chemical validation data, review specifications, and work with Food Science and Quality teams in a large food manufacturing setting.

This hands-on role develops data management and problem-solving skills. You'll gain exposure to how science translates into business decisions while learning alongside experienced professionals

Qualifications

• Data analysis skills for shelf-life data and validation datasets.
• Familiarity with Excel for data handling and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to communicate findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Data consolidation of shelf-life, microbiological and chemical validation data into a centralised database.
• Review product specifications to support shelf-life decisions.
• Assess data quality, identify gaps, and drive data accuracy improvements.
• Develop a clear, consistent approach to how shelf-life information is managed across the business.
• Support validation and verification activities with reliable information.

Skills

Data analysis

Excel

Communication

Education

Food Science student

Tools

Excel

Job description

Food Science Internship - Shelf Life Master Database Project

Internship will run over summer from 28th November through to 19th February 2027.

Turn science into real world impact. Build something that matters.

Looking for an internship where you can apply your Food Science knowledge to a real business challenge?

At Hilton Foods, you’ll work alongside our Quality and Food Science teams on a project designed to improve how we manage and use critical shelf-life and validation data across the business.

Based at our Truganina site, this internship is ideal for a Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or related discipline student who enjoys working with data, understanding food safety and quality, and finding practical ways to improve processes.

What will you be working on?

You’ll take ownership of a project to develop a centralised Shelf Life Master Database, bringing together key information currently used across shelf-life and validation activities.

• Data consolidation – bringing together shelf-life, microbiological and chemical validation data into one centralised database.
• Specification review – capturing and organising key product specification information to support shelf-life decisions.
• Data quality – reviewing existing information, identifying gaps or inconsistencies and helping improve data accuracy.
• Process improvement – developing a clear and consistent approach to how shelf-life information is managed across the business.
• Validation & verification – creating a reliable source of information to support ongoing shelf-life validation and verification activities.

You’ll work closely with Food Science and Quality teams, gaining exposure to real products, processes and decision-making within a large food manufacturing environment.

What you’ll get out of it

• Shelf-life validation and verification
• Microbiological and chemical dataFood safety and quality systems
• Product specifications
• Data analysis and management
• Process improvement
• Working with technical stakeholders
• Applying Food Science knowledge in a commercial environment

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Curious and keen to learn
• Interested in food safety, quality and shelf-life
• Comfortable working with data and Excel
• Organised and detail-focused
• A good communicator who is confident asking questions
• Interested in understanding how science translates into real business decisions
• Studying Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or a related discipline

If you’re someone who enjoys getting into the detail, working with data and finding ways to make things better — we’d love to hear from you.

Why Hilton Foods?

Hilton Foods is a leading international food packaging specialist, partnering with some of the world’s biggest food retailers.

Our internships are designed to give students real exposure to the business, real responsibility and real experience not just coffee runs.

Bring your curiosity. Apply your science. Make your mark at Hilton Foods.