Research & Development Intern – Citrus Innovation Center

Intern, Citrus Innovation Center- Lakeland, FL 

Are you interested in pioneering citrus-based innovation? This is an exciting time to join one of the world’s leading flavor companies. 

IFF is a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation to create differentiated consumer experiences. We are looking for an Intern to join our RE-MASTER CITRUS™ team at the Citrus Innovation Center in Lakeland, Florida. 

IFF’s RE-MASTER™ programs accelerate innovation by identifying unmet opportunities through consumer insights, future trend analysis, and a modernized cross-category development approach—ensuring a strong and differentiated innovation pipeline. 

Your Focus 

As an intern, you will work alongside experienced scientists and engineers to build foundational skills in the biology, processing, and analysis of citrus and citrus by-product streams. You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory operations,  laboratory management, equipment operation, equipment maintenance, data collection, and data interpretation.

This role is ideal for a student eager to expand their experience within a highly innovative and collaborative environment. Strong organizational and time management skills are essential. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Support daily lab operations, including managing and maintaining lab inventory, sample preparation, equipment operation, equipment maintenance and routine analysis

• Analysis and interpretation of experimental data

• Support management and maintenance of citrus plants, including plant care and field measurements
• Assist with literature reviews and compile findings
• Ensure accurate data recording and organization by creating and maintaining data records
• Support R+D data hygiene and R+D database management

• Document experiments, formulations, and results following R&D best practices 
• Creation and management of documented procedures
• Perform lab scale distillation experiments

• Participate in tasting sessions and provide sensory feedback 

• Ensure compliance with lab safety standards, GMPs, and IFF policies 

Learning & Development 

• Develop foundational knowledge the genus citrus, citrus processing, and the composition of citrus and citrus by-products 

• Build hands-on experience with lab equipment, lab instrumentation, lab techniques, and citrus botany 

• Gain exposure to end-to-end innovation, from concept through customer delivery 

• Develop understanding of cross-functional roles, including R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Product Experience (PX) 

Requirements 

• Currently enrolled in a college or university  

• Pursuing Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field 
• Strong interest in citrus, citrus processing, and citrus byproducts

• Sophomore or above (Bachelor’s) or early-stage Master’s student 
• Strong academic record in chemistry, biochemistry, and/or engineering

• Basic knowledge of laboratory practices
• Successful completion of CHM 2045 + CHM2045L

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment 

• Ability to work  minimum 16 hours/week, with up to 40 hours/week in summer 

• Authorization to work in the U.S. without restrictions 

• Pre-employment background check and drug screen required 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Basic data analysis and Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel) 
• Successful completion of CHM 2046 + CHM 2046L
• Successful completion of CHM 3120C
• Successful completion of CHM 3217

• Strong practical math skills (e.g., dilutions, batching calculations) 

• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively 

• Self-starter mindset with strong prioritization and organization skills 

Why Join IFF? 

• Hands-on experience in a world-class citrus innovation center 

• Exposure to real customer-driven projects and commercialization 

• Opportunity to work with flavorists, scientists, and global innovation teams 

• Experience supporting RE-MASTER CITRUS™ and cutting-edge innovation programs 

• Development opportunities within a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition 

Inclusion & Diversity 

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering a diverse range of solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that individuality unlocks our full potential. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where all colleagues can bring their authentic selves to work. 

Learn more: 
https://www.iff.com/responsibilities/diversity-equity-inclusion 

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more