Internship Research & Development

Interfood Group; Netherlands; Remote; EUR 4,500 - 6,700; Full time

Job summary

Interfood Group is seeking an R&D intern to explore how dairy ingredients differ between suppliers and how these differences influence their performance in food applications.

You will work in our Bladel office and state-of-the-art application lab, conducting variation studies and practical trials to translate results into actionable insights for customers and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science or a related field (HBO or university).
• Has an analytical mindset and is interested in interpreting data and identifying relationships.
• Has an interest in dairy ingredients, food functionality and product applications.
• Has an interest in dairy ingredients, food functionality and product applications.

Responsibilities

• Investigate ingredient variation: Explore differences in the physical and functional properties of dairy ingredients, such as dairy powders, butter and cheese.
• Characterize dairy ingredients: Identify properties beyond standard specifications, such as powder solubility, cheese stretch and melt, or butter softness and plasticity.
• Conduct application trials: Test selected ingredients in real food applications, such as pizza, croissants and protein bars, using our state-of-the-art application lab.
• Analyze and interpret data: Identify relationships between ingredient characteristics and their performance in final applications.
• Translate findings into insights: Help Interfood better understand ingredient functionality and provide valuable insights to customers and suppliers.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Data interpretation

Curiosity

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Technology/Food Science (HBO or university)

Job description

As our new R&D intern, you will explore how dairy ingredients differ between suppliers and how these differences influence their performance in food applications.

Interfood holds a unique position in the dairy supply chain, sourcing ingredients from a wide range of producers and supplying them to food manufacturers worldwide. This gives you the opportunity to work with a diverse selection of dairy ingredients and investigate how their properties translate into real product performance.

As our new R&D intern, you will:

• Investigate ingredient variation: Explore differences in the physical and functional properties of dairy ingredients, such as dairy powders, butter and cheese.
• Characterize dairy ingredients: Identify properties beyond standard specifications, such as powder solubility, cheese stretch and melt, or butter softness and plasticity.
• Conduct application trials: Test selected ingredients in real food applications, such as pizza, croissants and protein bars, using our state-of-the-art application lab.
• Analyze and interpret data: Identify relationships between ingredient characteristics and their performance in final applications.
• Translate findings into insights: Help Interfood better understand ingredient functionality and provide valuable insights to customers and suppliers.

The exact focus of your internship will be tailored to your interests, educational background and the priorities of our R&D team. Depending on your preferences, you may work with dairy powders, butter, cheese or a combination of these.

Your profile

Is currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Technology, Food Science or a related field (HBO or university).

Has an analytical mindset and is interested in interpreting data and identifying relationships.

Has an interest in dairy ingredients, food functionality and product applications.

Has an interest in dairy ingredients, food functionality and product applications.

Works independently, takes initiative and approaches challenges with curiosity.

Is eager to learn and contribute to real-world R&D projects.

Our offer

A unique introduction to how the dairy industry works in practice. A strong balance between fundamental understanding of milk powder functionality and practical, application-driven research with direct industrial relevance.

You will work hands-on in our state-of-the-art application lab, using a wide range of dairy ingredients and testing their performance in real applications.

With close supervision, you will further develop your skills in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.

About Interfood

Step into our Bladel office and experience the energy of our team.

A workplace where collaboration, passion, and innovation come together - because great things happen when people enjoy what they do.

We are a leading player in commodity trading in dairy products. We operate globally with 14 offices worldwide and with a team of over 380 colleagues, we connect suppliers and customers. With more than 50 years of experience, we empower our partners by providing in-depth market knowledge, strategic insights, and risk management solutions that create real impact across the dairy supply chain.

We empower our people with autonomy, we encourage them to take responsibility and make decisions. We don’t just offer a job; we offer a career with multiple paths for personal and professional development. In our informal culture, we provide our employees with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We believe in the power of teamwork, and our "Together for Better" philosophy drives our collaborative approach, creating a world-class team. And we foster a culture of well-being by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and supporting mental health.

When you join us, you enter a world where expertise, strategy, and action come together. We offer the opportunity to grow and succeed in an ever-evolving global market, while actively engaging in sustainable practices that drive innovation and shape the future of our industry.

Are you looking for an international company where you can develop both professionally and personally? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment but also value collaboration in a close-knit, informal team? Then Interfood is the ideal employer for you.

Explore our current vacancies and learn more about our organization.