Embrace what’s next.
Create new possibilities.

Your Internship:

Gain real experience. Learn from the best. See how your work matters.

Our internships are designed to prepare you for your career journey, not a final destination. When you join our team, you are welcomed into a community committed to providing you with a safe environment to learn, grow and cultivate your skills. With our expansive learning resources, our well-respected leaders, and our carefully curated development courses, you will be equipped to confidently solve tomorrow's global issues. And, truthfully, our future relies on you. Your innovative minds, your intentional collaboration, and your sincere desire to nourish the world. Your work may be local, but at Cargill, your impact will be global. Join our community to cultivate your curiosity, develop meaningful relationships and propel your career. 

Applications Food Scientist Research and Development Internship:

The Research and Development (R/D) function at Cargill will provide students with a career interest and an Animal and/or Food Science related academic background, the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a business environment. The internship program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn and work with Cargill businesses units/functions to provide solutions to customers.

Your internship may take place in one of the following areas:

Food R/D Team: Researching how Cargill ingredients function in different snacks and bakery applications and processes.  Creating new and innovative bakery, snack, dairy, and beverage formulations for customers and/or tradeshows.

Protein Food R/D Team:In this position, summer interns will have the opportunity to work with our team of food scientists in our Protein business while learning new product development processes like formulation setup, USDA guidelines, understanding ingredient usages, shelf-life evaluation, experimental design, sensory evaluation and least-cost formulations.

Your work:

You will be assigned to a project or multiple projects that will be substantive in nature and will create exposure to a variety of work activities. Interns will have the opportunity to:

• Gain immediate hands-on work experience in one of the world’s largest agribusiness companies.
• Participate in orientation, networking, mentoring relationships and other opportunities targeted towards personal and professional development.
• Receive periodic and candid feedback on job performance.

Your internship project(s) will be in one of two areas: research or applications. 

• ‘Research’ oriented projects encompass applying scientific principles to build knowledge about food ingredients in our portfolio for use in finished food systems.  Knowledge generated by the research group is typically used by our business units and customers to support development of new Cargill ingredients or customers’ finished products. The intern will work as part of a team on a variety of research projects focused on using analytical chemistry and food material science to characterize functionality of food ingredients at the molecular level.
• ‘Applications’ oriented projects involve applying lab or pilot work on customer finished food systems. Such applications work is typically done to meet a customer need and to support development of a new Cargill ingredient or product.  

Our Programming:

• With comprehensive learning resources at your disposal, you can take your learning in any direction. 

• As employees, interns receive access to volunteer and community outreach opportunities and paid time off for volunteer activities. 

• Throughout the internship, interns and co-ops are invited to participate in events that will give exposure to leadership, provide development opportunities, and offer the ability to network with cross-functional interns/co-ops across the U.S. 

Internship Details:

• Internships are typically 12 weeks in duration. 
• Interns are paid hourly for time worked. 
• Interns are responsible for transportation to and from work. 
• Interns who demonstrate outstanding performance and a curiosity to learn more may be offered an internship, co-op or full-time position to return the following year. 

Our Benefits:

No matter who you are or where you are, we have resources to meet your needs. As an intern, you’ll have access to a wide variety of programs to support you and help you succeed. Eligible programs and incentives include:   

• Paid time off* 

• Mental Health and Wellbeing program 

• Digital Learning Library 

• Housing and Relocation Assistance for those that qualify  

*Minnesota-based employees: Minnesota Sick and Safe Leave accruals of one hour for every 30 worked, up to 48 hours per calendar year unless otherwise provided by law. 

Compensation:

The expected hourly rate for this position is $25.00 - $30.00. Compensation decisions are dependent on grad date and eligibility for full-time employment. 

Our Network:

Your development is our priority. With our outstanding global network, you will establish relationships, acquire mentors, and build your professional contacts. Our program encourages and orchestrates networking opportunities that will benefit you now and in your future career. During the internship, you will also receive consistent support from university recruiting staff, mentors, colleagues, and your supervisor. 

Our Vibrant Community:

At Cargill, you will be a part of our vibrant global community with a culture that celebrates diversity. This is a reflection of the clients we serve and generates an intellectually diverse set of employees. Business Resource Groups (BRGs) help us embrace our diversity, make our culture more inclusive and enhance our employees’ outstanding talents and perspectives to benefit our organization and employees. 

Our U.S. Business Resource Groups include:  

Asian Alliance Network, Cargill Young Professionals Network, Cargill Ability Network (iCAN), Cargill Ebony Council, Indigenous Peoples Network (IPN), Hispanic-Latino Council, Cargill Pride Network, Veterans & Military Support Network, and Cargill Women’s Network.

Job Locations:

• Plymouth, MN
• Wichita, KS

Required Qualifications:

• Right to work in the U.S. that is not based solely on possession of a student visa or a visa sponsored by a third-party employer
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Meat Science or a related technical science degree graduating between December 2026 and Summer 2028
• Able to complete a 12-week internship in the summer (May/June - August 2026)
• All candidates must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate to Plymouth, MN or Wichita, KS for an internship.
• Proven ability to work optimally with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures
• Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Overall 3.0 GPA preferred, on a 4.0 scale
• Ability to prioritize and manage a large workload with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making.
• Strong leadership and technical skills.
• Demonstrated ability of collaboration, communication, motivation, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork and successful completion of work.