R&D Food Science Placement Year

Cooper & Hall Limited; Scarborough; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign on bonus

Private healthcare

Excellent salary sacrifice pension

25 days annual leave

Life insurance

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Medicash health plan

Wellbeing programme

Cycle to work

Volunteering day

Hybrid working

Job summary

McCain Foods in the UK is seeking an R&D Food Science Intern for a 12-month placement starting July 2027. You will join a global R&D team, work on new development projects and ingredient evaluations, and participate in tastings to assess shelf life.

The role offers a professional environment with clear development objectives and regular feedback. You will gain hands-on experience, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to innovative food development while pursuing a degree in

Qualifications

• Currently studying a relevant degree in Food Science or equivalent.
• Full clean driving license.
• Have a passion and interest in food.
• Be seeking a 12-month placement year to support your degree studies (July 2026 to June 2027).
• Must be available to start early July.
• A love of potatoes!

Responsibilities

• Work on projects with our teams and gain hands-on R&D experience.
• Follow a development plan with regular one-to-ones with line managers.
• Build a network across McCain and with other interns.

Skills

Food science knowledge

Education

Food Science degree (enrolled)

Job description

Position Type:

Temporary - Full-Time

Requisition ID:

45493

About the role:

Take A Bite of life outside of your university studies.

We’re recruiting for an R&D Food Science Intern. You’ll join a line of successful interns that have all been in the same shoes, who walked through the doors of our HQ to gain valuable experience as part of their University Placement year. Some of which have since returned to continue their careers with us.

When:

Join us in July 2027 for an epic 12-month journey with our Global R&D team. You’ll get an insight into what life is like working for one of the largest frozen food companies in the world, and experience lots of different elements within R&D, from working on new development projects to new ingredient evaluation. Other projects may include; specific studies on appetizer ingredients and impact to recipes, line extension development of our current product portfolios, cook direction and abuse studies as well as conducting tastings (our favorite part) to evaluate shelf life samples.

What you’ll be doing:

Working on some tasty projects alongside our teams, you’ll also live and breathe the victories that come with working in a professional R&D team, whilst also experiencing some of the real-life challenges that go with it. As an intern, you’ll not only get hands‑on experience, but you’ll also experience development within a professional environment where you’ll work towards set objectives, with a clear development plan and regular one‑to‑ones with your line managers. You’ll also build a network both inside and outside of McCain as well as creating connections with other interns across the business.

What you’ll need to be successful:

Here at McCain we are go‑getters. We are winners. And we work hard. And that’s what we look for in our interns.

But you must also:

• Be currently studying a relevant degree in Food Science or equivalent.
• Full clean driving license.
• Have a passion and interest in food.
• Be seeking a 12-month placement year to support your degree studies (which will run from July 2026 to June 2027).
• Must be available to start early July.
• A love of potatoes!

Benefits:

Although we do encourage you to taste the goods, you'll be pleased to know we don't pay you in chips. Alongside your salary, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including:

• Sign on bonus additional to your annual salary – to help you get started!
• Private healthcare
• An excellent salary sacrifice pension scheme where we'll contribute double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your salary
• 25 days' annual leave from day one plus bank holidays (increasing with service), giving you plenty of time to recharge with the opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year
• Life insurance cover providing peace of mind for you and your family
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, because the moments that matter outside of work matter to us too
• Medicash health cash plan, helping you claim money back on everyday healthcare costs, with access to a virtual GP and wellbeing support
• TELUS Health employee and family assistance program offering full wellbeing support - including a 24/7 confidential counselling line, legal and financial guidance, and a range of employee discounts.
• Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
• A paid 'Chips In' Volunteering Day, giving you the opportunity to support projects that make a positive impact in our communities
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements where the role allows

And because you're joining a global business, your career opportunities don't stop at the factory gate. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, step into leadership, or even explore opportunities internationally, we'll support your growth. With ambitious plans for the future, there's plenty of scope to develop your career with us.

About McCain:

At McCain Foods, we focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results. AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture.

The McCain Experience:

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person—it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so flexibility is encouraged.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success, and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.