2027 Human Nutrition Internship

Pork; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living stipend

Paid internship

Job summary

The National Pork Board is seeking a Nutrition Intern to assist our health and nutrition initiatives. You will help develop pork-centric nutrition content, support research initiatives, and activate health professionals and school foodservice programs.

Strong reading of science and clear communication are essential as you work with internal teams to promote pork’s role in health and wellness. Office-based internship in Clive, IA, lasting 12 weeks from May 2027 to August 2027, with 40 hours per

Qualifications

• Pursuing BS/MS/PhD in Nutrition or related field.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to read, interpret and communicate nutrition science.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning and execution of nutrition-related events and activities.
• Lead nutrition cooking and educational activities for staff and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and support cooking classes in the innovation kitchen, including testing recipes and ordering groceries.
• Compile competitive intelligence on nutrition-related products, programs, and promotions.
• Develop nutrition communications to build brand loyalty and drive pork sales.
• Develop nutrition resources and guides to support pork’s role in health and wellness for students and professionals.
• Coordinate nutrition research initiatives to support science.
• Participate in pork leadership events and activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Organization

Team collaboration

Nutrition science literacy

Education

BS in Nutrition

MS in Nutrition & Dietetics

Doctorate in Nutrition

Job description

Description

We are seeking a knowledgeable, creative, and enthusiastic person to help with our health and nutrition efforts. Reporting to the Senior Director of Human Nutrition, the Nutrition Intern will help with a wide variety of activities and events from assisting in the creation of pork-centric nutrition content to developing research initiatives, school foodservice and health professional activations, and communications. Must have a passion for inspiring people to live a healthy lifestyle and be comfortable with reading, interpreting, and communicating science. Previous culinary or food service experience is a plus.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Participate in planning and execution of nutrition-related events and activities.
• Participate and lead nutrition cooking and educational activities for staff and external stakeholders
• Assisting in the coordination and production of cooking classes in our innovation kitchen including testing recipes, ordering groceries, prepping ingredients, organizing details, etc.
• Compiling competitive intelligence on nutrition related products, programs, and promotions.
• Working with internal teams to develop meaningful nutrition communications that build brand loyalty, create brand advocates, connect with consumers in a compelling way and drive pork sales.
• Developing nutrition resources and guides to support pork’s role in health and wellness for students and professionals
• Coordinating nutrition research initiatives to support science.
• Participate in agricultural leadership and pork leadership events and activities.

Requirements

• Student working towards a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and/or Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and/or Doctorate in Nutrition or related degree.
• Must demonstrate strong organizational skills and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, interpret and communicate nutrition science.
• Strong collaboration and people skills.
• Close attention to detail.
• Strong initiative and self-starter.
• Travel will be expected (all expenses paid for work-related trips).

Criteria for applying:

• Duration of internship: 12 weeks
• Preferred timeline: May 2027 – August 2027
• Hours: 40 hrs./week
• Internships are paid starting at $18/hour (undergraduate) or $20/hr (graduate)
• Opportunity to continue on a part time basis through Fall 2027
• All intern positions are based at our office in Clive, IA.
• All interns will be expected to secure their own housing for the summer; a living stipend is provided.

Application deadline is 11/13/2026.

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. Applicants should be able to support the mission of the organization with enthusiasm to serve U.S. pork producers.