Research & Development Industrial Placement - Product Development 2026

PepsiCo, Inc.; Leicester; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in food and beverage products is seeking enthusiastic undergraduates for a 12-month R&D placement in Leicester, starting July 2026. The role involves hands-on product development, working closely with scientists and engineers to innovate and improve products. Strong communication, numerical skills, and a passion for food are essential. Competitive salary and benefits include 25 annual leave days and a vibrant culture.

Benefits

Vibrant culture

Development and mentoring

25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Discounted PepsiCo products

Competitive pension scheme

Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Penultimate-year student with a sandwich placement option.
• Interest in food and product innovation.
• Ability to communicate across diverse functions.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on product development at kitchen and factory scales.
• Measure product attributes and understand consumer preferences.
• Liaise with R&D teams and external contractors.

Skills

Communication skills

Numerical skills

Computer literacy

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Initiative and drive

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree-level qualification in science, engineering, or food-related field

Job description

Overview

You'll have the chance to put your studies 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 receive 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, with our Global R&D team at the heart of the action, creating products of the future for global consumers and pursuing healthy choices that meet market needs.

You'll have a high level of autonomy where your decisions will make a difference to our business, while you develop your skills in a fast-paced, energetic environment.

Overview of the role

Within the R&D Foods Product Development Teams you will be supporting product innovation, productivity, continuity and/or long-term research projects. You will work alongside scientists and engineers on creative product development in R&D development kitchens, process labs and manufacturing plants. You will have a high level of autonomy where your work will directly impact our business results, working with current products and on future product development.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on product development, including planning and executing kitchen, pilot and factory scale trials.
• Working with product insights and analytical teams to measure product attributes and understand consumer preferences.
• Liaising within R&D and cross-functionally with teams, technical experts and contractors globally, and using literature searches to deliver key aspects of work streams.
• Building and investigating fundamental scientific insights underpinning product development.
• Arranging product testing programmes, sample shipments, administration, submitting samples for laboratory analysis, writing up results and reporting back to key members of the project teams.
• Penultimate-year students with a sandwich placement option before returning to study.
• Following a path to a degree-level qualification in science, engineering or a food-related field.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Numerical skills including data analysis and interpretation.
• Computer literacy.
• High motivation with good organisational skills.
• Strong critical thinking ability.
• Initiative and drive to deliver results of trials and activities, with the ability to be proactive and multi-task.
• An interest in food.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a diverse audience across function, culture and level.

What you need to know

Application Closing Date: 20 October. Our application window is scheduled to close on the above date; however, in the event of a large response we may close applications early. We 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. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. The portfolio includes brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Our vision is to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), a transformation that prioritises sustainability and human capital within planetary boundaries.

What else you need to know

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

• Vibrant culture
• Development and mentoring
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 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, online free digital physiotherapy service