Summer 2027 R&D Intern

Dairy Farmers of America; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America is seeking an intern to assist across product development, sensory services, and R&D activities in their Springfield, MO location. The role involves hands-on learning in pilot plant spray drying, dry blending, sample preparation, and ingredient inventory management alongside Development and Application scientists.

Preferred candidates are juniors, seniors, or master's students in Food Science or related fields, with an equalopportunity employer statement and

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related field.
• Junior/Senior or Masters candidate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Learn and assist with product development including pilot plant spray dryer operation, dry blending, sample prep, and ingredient inventory management.
• Learn and assist sensory services including sensory concepts and application, panel preparation, data entry in Compusense software or other applicable software
• Learn and assist Development and Application scientists with formula creation, formula adjustments, existing formula adaptation, application creation.
• Learn and assist Research and Innovation Scientist(s) with prototyping, application creation
• Present weekly to the Supervising manager tasks and concepts learned
• Officially present to management team tasks and concepts learned after each phase of internship
• Identify and propose one improvement project for R&D/Innovation Center related processes/tasks; lead execution if possible

Skills

Spray drying

Dry blending

Sample prep

Ingredient inventory

Education

Food Science or related field student

Master's program applicant a bonus

Tools

Compusense

Cost Management DB

Job description

• Learn and assist with all product development including pilot plant spray dryer operation, dry blending, sample prep, and ingredient inventory management
• Learn and assist with sensory services including sensory concepts and application, panel preparation, data entry in Compusense software or other applicable software
• Learn and assist Development and Application scientists with formula creation, formula adjustments, existing formula adaptation, application creation. Understand and utilize the Project Cost Management database
• Learn and assist Research and Innovation Scientist(s) with prototyping, application creation
• Present weekly to the Supervising manager tasks and concepts learned
• Officially present to management team, tasks and concepts learned after each phase of internship
• Identify and propose to management team one Improvement project for R&D and/or Innovation Center related processes/tasks, or other contributing project related to any of the above tasks or departments. If approved, Lead execution of the project if timeline allows.

The preferred candidate will be a Junior, Senior or enrolled in a Master's program with a degree focus in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans