Research & Development Industrial Placement - Nutrition Sciences 2026

PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH; Leicester; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A global food company is offering a 12-month placement for a Nutrition Scientist in Leicester, UK, starting July 2026. You will support the Nutrition Sciences Team in developing nutrition documentation, creating educational materials, and conducting product assessments. Ideal candidates are students in their penultimate year of study in nutrition or related fields with strong digital and analytical skills. The position offers a salary of £25,500 and various benefits including annual leave and health perks.

Benefits

Vibrant culture

Development and mentoring

25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays, birthday leave

Discounted PepsiCo products

Competitive pension scheme

Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Students in their penultimate year of university studies, eligible for a sandwich placement.
• Strong ability to translate complex scientific information.
• Good collaboration skills with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of nutrition documentation.
• Create educational resources on nutrition topics.
• Conduct nutritional assessment of products.

Skills

Digital skills

Critical analysis

Interpersonal communication

Self-motivation

Evidence-based nutrition science

Education

Degree in nutrition, dietetics or related field

Job description

Overview

You’ve learned a lot as a student already. Want to put it into practice at PepsiCo?

Our placement programmes are structured to give you the chance to make an impact on some of the world’s biggest brands. From day one, you’ll be working on projects that matter. You will shake things up, shape trends, and get guidance and development to help you discover your potential.

We are looking for enthusiastic undergraduates to join our R&D teams on a 12-month placement programme starting in July 2026 on a full-time basis. All our Research & Development opportunities are based out of Beaumont Park, Leicester.

Innovation takes centre stage at PepsiCo! That means our Global R&D team are at the heart of the action and are kept busy creating the products of the future, for our global consumers. In a fast-paced consumer environment, our research and development capability is crucial to provide a fresh twist to our favourite brands as well as creating new to the world healthy choices that we need to succeed in the market. Our research and development focusses on building a consumer-centric understanding, enabling us to design products for the latest consumer needs - whether nutrition, refreshment, or indulgence – driving our growth both now and in the future.

You’ll have lots of autonomy where your decisions will really make a difference to our business and in return, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills and experience in a fast paced, energetic environment.

Overview of the role

Our Nutrition Sciences Team is responsible for developing and implementing the nutrition sciences strategy across the broad geography of Europe. This role is pivotal in supporting the work of the team, taking ownership of projects, expanding your knowledge whilst translating that knowledge into business relevant action and gaining invaluable experience of working as a nutritionist in a global food company. PepsiCo’s portfolio stretches across a wide range of food and beverage products, encompassing every possible nutritional opportunity and challenge.

Responsibilities

What you will be doing:

• Supporting the development of nutrition documentation
• Creating educational resources and materials on a variety of nutrition related topics
• Conducting nutritional assessment of internal and competitor products
• Conducting and evaluating research to support innovation and brand activation
• Developing monthly media reports relevant to the business, portfolio and nutrition science
• Being involved with journal clubs, critically evaluating research papers, and presenting scientific information within the team and to other teams internally
• Under the guidance of other team members, providing nutrition guidance and support to the relevant teams on a variety of nutrition topics

Qualifications

What are we looking for?

• Students that have the full right to work for the duration of the full time placement (July 2026-July 2027).
• Students currently in their penultimate year of university studies, where the course includes the option of completing a sandwich placement before returning to study after the placement.
• Following path to a degree level qualification in nutrition, dietetics or related field.
• Strong and broad range of digital skills.
• Good critical analysis skills to interpret published scientific information.
• Good level of ability to translate evidence based scientific information in an easy to understand manner to a range of audiences.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a diverse audience and the ability to effectively collaborate with others.
• High degree of self-motivation combined with good organisational skills.
• Concise and persuasive communicator with excellent written and verbal presentation skills, including to non-technical audiences.
• Strong passion for evidence based nutrition science.

What else do you need to know?

Our placements start in July 2026 on a full-time basis and will last for 12 months. The salary is £25,500.

Other benefits:

• Vibrant culture
• Development and mentoring
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays, birthday leave
• Discounted PepsiCo products
• Competitive pension scheme
• Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits: Virtual GP available to you and your family 24/7, Discounted gym membership, SWORD; online free digital physiotherapy service

Our application process

• Online application
• One way video interview sent to you by Talent Acquisition team: September- October 2025
• Virtual Assessment Centre November- December 2025 (subject to change)

Application Closing Date: 20th October 2025

Our application window is scheduled to close on the above date, however, in the event of a large response we will close applications early. We would therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.