Graduate Student Chemistry Research Internship 2027

GALLO; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

401k

Profit sharing

Pet insurance

Employee wine shop

Job summary

Gallo in Modesto, CA invites a Graduate Student Chemistry Research Internship for 2027. This six‑month program offers hands‑on experience in wine chemistry, using HPLC, GC‑MS and other instruments to analyze grapes, juice and wine.

You'll work in the Winegrowing Chemistry Research department, performing data analysis, modeling relationships between composition and sensory attributes, and supporting in‑house production experiments on this industrial research team.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program or has earned one in Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle; may require a motor vehicle check.
• Willing to work overtime including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with good communication.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques (HPLC/GC-MS) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate chemical characteristics of grapes during maturation.
• Apply rapid chemical methods to measure juice and wine attributes.
• Use analytical instruments to characterize grapes, fermentations, and wines.
• Model relationships between product chemistry and sensory attributes.
• Analyze data using computer software.
• Assist in setting up laboratory, pilot scale, or production experiments.
• May travel to other production sites.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

HPLC

GC-MS

GPC

ITC

Data analysis

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering

Tools

HPLC

GC-MS

FTIR

GPC

IC

ITC

Job description

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Graduate Student Chemistry Research Internship 2027

Duration: 6 months (July - December, 2027)

*Important Information* Applications will not be reviewed until the application close date. Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the internship to qualify.

We’re a family-owned company with a 90+ year legacy, that’s consistently recognized as a Glassdoor “Best Places to Work.” We have 130+ brands in our total alcohol beverage portfolio including wine, malt, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages. We’re home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S. - Barefoot Wine & High Noon and are the official sponsors of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America.

View our Corporate Values and Mission Statement here.

Are you a Master’s or PhD student with a passion for research? Join our Winegrowing Chemistry Research department and apply your knowledge in a dynamic, industrial research setting. This collaborative internship program offers a unique opportunity to gain hands‑on experience and contribute to winegrowing research. We value diverse perspectives and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Elevate your career with us and make a significant impact on the future of winegrowing.

A Taste of What You’ll Do

• Evaluating the chemical characteristics of grapes throughout their maturation process.
• Implementing rapid chemical methods to measure and monitor juice and wine attributes at the winery.
• Using advanced analytical instrumentation (e.g. HPLC, GC-MS, FTIR, GPC, IC and ITC) to perform chemical analyses to characterize grapes, fermentations, and wines.
• Modeling the relationship of products chemistry to sensory attributes.
• Using computer software to statistically analyze data.
• Working in a production setting during harvest. This can include harvesting experimental grapes in the vineyard, operating grape processing equipment, taking samples from tanks in the winery and analyzing grape and wine quality. Interns may travel to other production sites.
• Assisting in the set-up of laboratory, pilot scale, or production experiments.

What You’ll Need

• Currently enrolled at a college or university and working towards a Master's or PhD OR have obtained a Master's or PhD in the following areas: School of Life Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, or School of Engineering (Business or social sciences degrees are not eligible for this internship, such as ag business, psychology, etc).
• Candidate is required to have a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record and reliable vehicle (if applicable) at the time of hire. This position will undergo a motor vehicle check (MVR) to confirm a history of safe and responsible driving. If needed, candidate must obtain the appropriate state driver’s license based on the position’s location within 30 days of hire.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Required to lift and move up to 40 lbs. when necessary.
• Required to work overtime, including evenings, weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Required to be 21 years of age or older.
• Strong applied technical skills and analytical problem‑solving skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Required to be 18 years or older. This may be in addition to other age requirements, if applicable, as listed in this job description.

How You’ll Stand Out

• Hands‑on experience with quantitative analytical chemistry using chromatographic techniques, including HPLC or GC‑MS.
• Hands‑on experience with method development and validation using advanced analytical instruments such as GPC and ITC
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and experience managing multiple assignments. Self‑motivated with a passion for research.
• Willingness to work at heights of up to 50 feet, on tops of tanks inspecting wine surfaces when necessary.

We are committed to providing competitive compensation, perks, and a culture that supports your well‑being. Benefits depend on your work category and may include medical and dental coverage, 401k plans, profit sharing, pet insurance, company holidays, access to an employee wine shop, and more! Additional information will be provided before your first interview.

The Fine Print

• The Company will consider sponsoring a new, qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.
• We offer a broad salary range to allow for long‑term growth. Actual compensation paid within the range will be determined by multiple factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed between the entry point and middle of the range, the decision will be made on a case‑by‑case basis related to these factors. In addition to the salary, this position may be eligible for bonuses, incentive plans, or participate in tasting room tip pools, as applicable.
• This position will be based in the location(s) specified in the job posting and requires working on‑site with no telecommuting option. You will be expected to live within a commutable distance.
• It is the Company’s policy for job postings to be open to internal candidates for a minimum of 5 days and to external candidates, if applicable, for a minimum of 3 days.

Gallo’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and not to discriminate on the basis of race, traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law (including cancer and predisposing genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), transgender status, sex stereotyping, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision making, age, military or veteran status, domestic violence or sexual assault victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Nor will Gallo discriminate based on a perception that an individual has any of the foregoing characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

Gallo will comply with state and local laws prohibiting discrimination for lawful out‑of‑work behavior, such as off‑duty use of cannabis away from the workplace (subject to federal and state law exceptions), the existence of non‑psychoactive cannabis metabolites in hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids as determined by a drug screening test (subject to federal and state law exceptions).

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gallo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at 209.341.7000.

Gallo is enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program and will use the program to verify the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees as required.