R&D Intern

Job Description

About The Hershey Company:

The Hershey Company is a global leader in chocolate and confectionery, known for iconic brands like Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, and Kisses. Their Technical Center, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is the heart of their research and development efforts. Here, they innovate and create new products, improve existing processes, and ensure the quality and consistency of their beloved treats.

R&D Intern Job Description:

This internship offers a unique opportunity to join The Hershey Company’s Research & Development team at their Technical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. You’ll be working alongside experienced scientists and product developers, contributing to the creation of the next generation of Hershey’s products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to R&D projects: You’ll be actively involved in projects from start to finish, including:
• Experimental Design: Develop and execute experiments to evaluate new technologies and ingredients.
• Laboratory Work: Conduct experiments using benchtop equipment, creating prototypes, and analyzing data.
• Pilot Plant Operations: Gain experience working with pilot-scale equipment, scaling up processes for potential commercialization.
• Reporting: Summarize experimental results and present findings to the team.
• Collaboration: Work independently and as part of multi-disciplinary teams, interacting with scientists, product developers, marketing, consumer research, and management.
• Potential Areas of Focus: This internship can provide experience in various R&D areas, including:
• Product Development: Focus on creating new and improved chocolate and confectionery products.
• Technical Front-End Innovation: Explore and evaluate cutting-edge technologies and ingredients.
• Process Excellence: Optimize existing processes to improve efficiency and quality.
• Sensory Sciences: Analyze consumer perceptions of product attributes like taste, texture, and aroma.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Education: You must be a junior or senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like:
• Food Science
• Food Processing Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Material Science
• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Experience: Prior internships or related experiences in a food science or engineering setting are highly valued.
• Key Skills:
• Passion for hands-on work and applying scientific principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Adaptable and comfortable with change.
• Reliable transportation.

Note: This role will involve working in a space with all major allergens.