Position Title: Food Science (R&D) Intern 2026
Position Type: Temporary - Full-Time
Position Location: Scarborough
Requisition ID: 38910
This is a placement year opportunity for 2026‑2027, and not a grad scheme. It is intended for students who are due to finish their second year of a sandwich degree and are seeking a placement year.
About McCain
At McCain, we’re feeding the world: from French fries to Smiles, we contribute to the important role food plays in people’s lives. We are dedicated to ensuring our core values – Family, Authentic, Trusted, and Quality – shine through daily. As a privately‑owned family company with over 60 years of experience, a presence in more than 160 countries, and a global team of 22,000 people, our values and culture are at the heart of everything we do.
Why join the McCain family
* Your Life – we’re here to help you fulfil your potential, flourish, and thrive in work and life.
* Your Success – work alongside passionate individuals who support your career ambitions.
* Your Impact – we want you to make a meaningful, lasting impact for you, for your colleagues, and for the business.
About The Role
We’re recruiting for an R&D Food Science Intern. You’ll join a line of successful interns who have gained experience as part of their University Placement year. Join us in July 2026 for an epic 12‑month journey with our Global R&D team.
You will gain insight into working at one of the largest frozen food companies in the world and experience a range of R&D functions including new development projects, ingredient evaluation, and study of appetiser ingredients. Projects may also involve line‑extension development, cooking direction, abuse studies and conducting tastings to evaluate shelf‑life samples.
As an intern you will gain hands‑on experience, develop a clear development plan with set objectives, and have regular one‑to‑one meetings with your line manager. You will also build a network inside and outside McCain and connect with other interns across the business.
Leadership Principles
We are customer‑obsessed, think big and plan ahead, bring out the best in our people, and act like owners.
About You
* Currently studying a relevant degree in Food Science or equivalent.
* Full clean driving licence.
* Have a passion and interest in food.
* Seeking a 12‑month placement year to support degree studies (July 2026 to June 2027).
* Available to start early July.
* Love of potatoes.
Benefits
* Sign on bonus in addition to your annual salary.
* An excellent pension – company pays double what you contribute, up to 12% of pay.
* Flexible holidays – you can buy & sell up to 5 days per year.
* Optional health cash plan.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* ‘Chips In’ volunteering day off.
Where You’ll Work
Our HQ in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This role is flexible: you should be present for most of the week in the test kitchen, pilot line, or factories to gain exposure.
We have potential relocation opportunities for those who wish to move in the future.
Equal Opportunity Employer
McCain Foods is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We are an accessible employer and welcome requests for accommodation throughout the recruitment process. Your privacy is important to us; by submitting personal data you agree it will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy.
Job Family: Research & Development
Division: Global Research and Development
Department: Potato
Locations: Scarborough and other UK regions listed.
Company: McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd
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