Internship – Biotechnology R&D Intern, International Flavors & Fragrances, Madison WI

Job Description

Who we are

Art. Plus science. Is there a more potent combination?

With the beauty of art and the precision of science, we are an international collective of thinkers who partner with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients, and solutions for products the world craves. We’re working at the cutting edge of artistry and science to apply new discoveries at every opportunity.

At our Madison location, founded in 1906 as the Marschall Dairy Laboratory by Adolph J. Marschall, you will be part of a team whose history and desire to innovate & create world-class products helped to propel us to be a global leader for cultures and probiotics, addressing the world’s challenges to provide safer, healthier, and more nutritious food.
Our differences make us great. Together, we will do more good for people and planet.

Join us!

Job Description

IFF is offering a rewarding intern position to bright, talented students seeking hands-on laboratory experience. This role would allow students to gain valuable industry experience and provides opportunities to meet career development and educational goals while potentially building a future with the IFF organization.

We are currently seeking a student to join our Culture Development R&D laboratory located at our Madison, Wisconsin facility. This is a full-time summer position starting in May/June 2024.

Our Culture Development R&D laboratory will enable you to gain valuable experience in an innovative industrial laboratory setting. Our lab was instrumental in discovering the native role of CRISPR as a bacterial immune system against bacteriophage, and we continue to employ the latest in molecular and genomic approaches to study bacterial physiology, genetics, and phage-host interactions for the development of microbial dairy starter cultures and solutions to address global food industry needs. The internship is a hands-on biotechnology laboratory position that provides students with coaching, mentoring, and the opportunity to learn new research techniques and apply these methods in a dynamic research and development environment.

As an intern, you will have an opportunity to do the following:

• Learn and perform molecular biology techniques and microbiology methods to complete a project over the course of the program under the supervision of a technical advisor.
• Independently execute experiments while maintaining a collaborative and safe laboratory environment.
• Be responsible for standard laboratory activities such as preparing microbiological growth media, running an autoclave (sterilization equipment), cleaning of glassware, maintaining cleanliness of shared laboratory spaces and restocking supplies.
• Participate in work-specific training and development.
• Analyze experimental data and keep accurate and complete laboratory documentation and electronic files.
• Track project progress and communicate progress to scientific advisors on a regular basis.
• Develop an understanding of IFF culture development research projects.
• Adopt and embrace IFF’s core values of empowerment, expertise, integrity, and innovation both on a personal and business level. Compliance with lab safety policies and procedures is required.
• Tour local IFF manufacturing facilities and meet personnel from other departments to gain an understanding of the company’s business and the team’s role within the company.
• Learn more about industrial microbiology, biomanufacturing, fermentation, enzymes, and food science in the context of lactic acid bacteria and starter cultures for cheese and yogurt production.
• Present project findings at the conclusion of the program.

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

• Interest in learning about the process of microbial R&D in an industry setting.
• Current rising junior or senior undergraduate students pursuing a BA/BS from an accredited technical school, college, or university. Graduate students are welcome to apply.
• Majors: Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Bacteriology, Genetics, Biology, Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Science, or other life science majors. A minimum GPA of 3.0/4 preferred.
• Hands-on experience and basic technical skills in microbiology, virology, and/or molecular biology techniques.
• Microsoft Office Suite experience – especially Excel and SharePoint.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership experience – such as community volunteerism
• Organizational and analytical ability.
• Ability to commit to a 10-12 week, full time (40 hrs per week) summer internship.
• Have the right to work in the U.S. without restriction.
• Pre-employment drug screen and background check required