Micro- and Systems Biology Internship 2027

GALLO; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee wine shop

Medical and dental coverage

401k plans

Profit sharing

Company holidays

Job summary

GALLO in Modesto, CA, invites applications for a Micro- and Systems Biology Intern. You’ll explore genetics of grapes and yeast to improve aroma and mouthfeel during fermentation, and work across yeast, bacteria, and vine biology to reveal pathways that shape wine quality.

The role involves hands-on molecular biology techniques, data analysis, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team in a production environment.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s in Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering.
• Available for the entire duration of the internship program.
• Valid driver’s license with safe driving record; may require motor vehicle check.
• Must drive to multiple production locations up to 25%.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and work at heights up to 50 feet.
• Must be 21+ (and 18+ minimum) and available for evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong technical and analytical problem-solving skills; good written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Study grape-yeast genetic interactions to influence aroma and mouthfeel during fermentation.
• Explore biology of yeast, bacteria, and grapes to uncover pathways affecting wine sensory attributes.
• Perform molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid extraction and microbiology procedures.
• Evaluate yeast performance and characterize wine sensory compounds during fermentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Technical lab skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering

Tools

Nucleic acid extraction

Gel electrophoresis

Gene expression analysis

Sequence analysis

Job description

Job Type: Full-time

Work Category: Onsite,

Application Close Date: 11/15/2026

Sponsorship: Not Available

Compensation: $24.00 - $28.00 / hour

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.

Gallo Privacy Policy

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.

A Taste of What You’ll Do

Join us as a Micro- and Systems Biology Intern and dive into the fascinating world of winemaking, where science meets sensory. You will play a crucial role in understanding the genetic interactions between grapes and yeast, contributing to the biotransformation of aroma and mouthfeel compounds during fermentation. Our team is committed to exploring innovative processing technologies that elevate wine quality, making this internship a unique opportunity to blend curiosity with expertise.

Your journey will involve a multidisciplinary approach, studying the biology of yeast, bacteria, and grapevines to uncover biochemical pathways that influence wine sensory attributes at the molecular level. You will be an integral part of research focusing on how yeast, bacteria, and enzymes impact winemaking processes, wine composition, and sensory characteristics. As an intern, you will actively engage in characterizing interactions between grapes and yeast, enhancing the flavor profile and overall experience of wine.

Your hands-on experience will include performing molecular biology laboratory techniques, such as extracting nucleic acids from grapes and yeast, and executing microbiological techniques like isolation, identification, directed evolution, and maintenance of yeast strains. You will also conduct gene expression analysis, nucleic acid electrophoresis, and sequence analysis. Additionally, you’ll evaluate the performance of yeast strains and characterize wine sensory compounds during primary and secondary fermentations.

What You’ll Need

• Currently enrolled at a college or university and working towards a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree OR have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree 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).
• Available for the entire duration of the internship program area(s) of interest.
• 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.
• Required to drive to and from varying production locations up to 25% of the time.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Required to lift and move up to 40 lbs. when necessary.
• Required to work at heights of 50 feet, on tops of tanks inspecting wine surfaces when necessary.
• Required to be 21 years of age.
• Requires availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays when necessary.
• 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.

Our Benefits & Perks

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 does not sponsor for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future.
• 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.

E-Verify Notice

Right to Work

Employee Polygraph Protection Act

Family Medical Leave Act

USERRA Notice