Research and Development Intern

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    SunOpta

    1,001-5,000 employeesEden Prairie, MinnesotaFood and Beverage Manufacturing
    Actively hiringPaidSummer 2027Food and Beverage Manufacturing
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    Best applied by Sep 24

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    About the role#

    This is a 12-week internship program where you will work alongside professionals to apply classroom knowledge to real projects. You will gain hands-on experience in the food industry, contribute to process improvements, and help develop new products. The program runs from May 17, 2027, through August 6, 2027.

    What you'll do#

    • Improve the yield and quality of current beverages, snacks, and ingredients.
    • Conduct bench-top and pilot experiments, prepare samples, perform analytical testing, and evaluate products.
    • Assist with sensory testing, shelf-life studies, and data collection.
    • Support the team with ingredient research, literature reviews, and technical documentation.
    • Manage process and product documentation.
    • Work with cross-functional teams including QA, Engineering, Procurement, and Marketing.

    What you'll need#

    • Current enrollment in a bachelor's or graduate degree program in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, Microbiology, or a related field.
    • Sophomore standing or higher.
    • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
    • Strong problem-solving, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
    • Previous internship experience is preferred.

    Location & details#

    • This position is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and requires on-site work.
    • You may need to travel to other locations for plant trials or related functions.
    • The role is paid at $20.00 per hour.
    • This is a full-time internship for Summer 2027.

    About SunOpta

    SunOpta operates in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. It focuses on the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic, non-GMO, and conventional food products. The company maintains a vertically integrated business model that spans from seed to finished goods. It is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and employs between 1,001 and 5,000 people.

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    Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at SunOpta, as recruiters often review candidates before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you apply among the first. This timing ensures your materials are seen while the team is still actively building their shortlist. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles directly. Intern Insider surfaces the specific contacts responsible for SunOpta hiring, allowing you to ask relevant questions or request a referral. This direct approach often proves more effective than submitting an application into a general queue.

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