Paid Summer Food Science Internship at Cargill, USA
The Food Innovation R&D Intern 2026 position at Cargill offers students hands-on experience in food science and product development within one of the world’s largest agribusiness companies. Based in Plymouth, Minnesota, this 12-week paid summer food science internship at Cargill Careers in the USA provides real-world exposure to food innovation, ingredient research, commercialization projects, and cross-functional collaboration in a global environment.
Internship Details:
- Title: Food Innovation R&D Intern 2026
- ID: 315792
- Location: Plymouth, Minnesota (Minneapolis Area)
- Category: Research & Development
- Job Status: Hourly, Full Time
- Internship Duration: 12 weeks (May/June – August 2026)
- Compensation: $25.00 – $30.00 per hour
- Travel Requirement: Approximately 15% or less to production plants
- Work Environment: Labs, Pilot Plants, Plant, and Office settings
About the Company:
Cargill is a global family-owned company operating in 70 countries and employing 160,000 people. The company connects farmers to markets, customers to ingredients, and families to essential products, including food, agricultural solutions, and industrial goods.
Through its Food Innovation Research & Development group, Cargill delivers customer solutions from concept to commercialization across its diverse food and ingredient portfolio, including expertise in sweeteners, starches, cocoa and chocolate, oils, plant and animal proteins, and packaging engineering.
Cargill is committed to diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and equal opportunity employment.
Educational Requirements for this Paid Internship:
Required Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science or a related field
- Graduation between December 2026 and May 2027
- Ability to complete a 12-week summer internship (May/June – August 2026)
- Right to work in the U.S. (not solely based on a student visa or third-party sponsorship)
- Willingness to relocate to Plymouth, MN
- Proven ability to work with diverse backgrounds and cultures
- High initiative and resourcefulness
Preferred Qualifications:
- Pursuing a Master of Science or a PhD in Food Science or a related field
- Knowledge in Starch or Biopolymer Chemistry
Key Responsibilities:
- Work within the Food Innovation Research & Development team across food segments in this Paid Food Science Summer Internship in the USA
- Contribute to projects from conception through commercialization
- Serve as the primary technical contributor on assigned projects
- Research new ingredients and technologies
- At Cargill Careers, you should support product development initiatives
- Collaborate across cross-functional teams
- Apply food science knowledge in a commercial setting
- Travel to production plants when required in this Food Science Internship in the USA
Skills Required:
- Strong technical foundation in Food Science
- Enthusiasm for the food industry and product innovation
- Initiative and ability to work with limited guidance
- Strong collaboration and teamwork skills
- Ability to work in lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural awareness and adaptability
Benefits of the Paid Internship:
- Paid internship ($25–$30 per hour)
- Immediate hands-on experience in a global agribusiness company
- Structured internship program with leadership exposure
- Access to a digital learning library and development courses
- Paid time off and volunteer opportunities
- Housing and relocation assistance (for eligible candidates)
- Networking opportunities across the U.S.
- Access to Business Resource Groups such as Asian Alliance Network, Cargill Young Professionals Network, iCAN, Cargill Pride Network, and more
- Mentorship from university recruiting staff, supervisors, and colleagues
- Opportunity to build global professional connections
