2027 Human Nutrition Internship

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

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend provided

Travel/expense coverage for work trips

On-site internship in Clive, IA

Job summary

The National Pork Board in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Nutrition Intern to assist in pork-centric nutrition content, research initiatives, school foodservice activations, and health professional engagements. You will support science communication and help plan, execute, and evaluate nutrition programs.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a Nutrition degree (Bachelor’s or higher) with strong organizational, communication, and collaborative skills, and a willingness to travel for work-related

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning and execution of nutrition-related events and activities.
• Participate and lead nutrition cooking and educational activities for staff and external stakeholders.
• Assist in coordination and production of cooking classes in our innovation kitchen; test recipes, order groceries, prep ingredients, organize details.
• Compile competitive intelligence on nutrition-related products, programs, and promotions.
• Work with internal teams to develop nutrition communications that build brand loyalty and drive pork sales.
• Develop nutrition resources and guides to support pork’s role in health for students and professionals.
• Coordinate nutrition research initiatives to support science.
• Participate in agricultural leadership and pork leadership events and activities.

Skills

Organizational skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Nutrition science reading

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Initiative

Education

Bachelor’s or higher in Nutrition or related field

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.

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.