Job Description

Location: Hopkirk, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Fixed Term – 12 weeks

Hours: 40 hours per week

Summer Student Intern – Enabling Microalgae-Bacteria Consortia for Food Production Systems

Grow your research skills in a world-class science environment

Join our Food System Innovation team and contribute to research exploring how microalgae and beneficial bacteria can be cultivated together to improve novel food production systems. Working alongside experienced scientists, you'll gain hands-on laboratory experience while helping to develop innovative approaches that support sustainable food and bioproduct development.

What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua

• Cultivate microalgae and bacterial strains in a laboratory environment, including media preparation, inoculation, growth monitoring, and experimental record keeping.
• Prepare, harvest, and analyse co-culture biomass using microbial enumeration and lipid concentration assays.
• Assist with troubleshooting experiments and improving laboratory protocols and methodologies.
• Analyse data and contribute to presentations and reporting of project findings.
• Learn from experienced researchers in a collaborative scientific environment.

What you will bring | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako

To be successful in this role, the minimum qualifications required are:

• Currently studying towards a tertiary qualification in biotechnology, microbiology, food science, biochemistry, biological sciences, or a related discipline.
• An interest in microbiology, fermentation processes, food systems, and laboratory-based research.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to accurately collect, record, and interpret scientific data.
• Good communication skills, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work effectively within a research team.

Why join us?

This internship offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research investigating microalgae-bacteria co-culture systems for novel food production. You'll gain valuable experience in microbiology, biotechnology, experimental design, and scientific data analysis while contributing to a project that supports future collaboration opportunities and sustainable food innovation.

A copy of the Position Description is available for you to view here.

What you will get | Ngā hua o tēnei tūranga

• Exposure to a professional research environment.
• Practical experience with microbiological cultivation techniques, co-culture systems, fermentation research, and laboratory-based analytical methods.
• Mentoring and support from experienced scientists.
• Opportunities to strengthen your scientific communication and data analysis skills.
• Valuable experience to support future study and career opportunities in science.

About us | Ko wai mātou

We've built something new. AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion have come together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. We are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.

Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.

For further details about the Bioeconomy Science Institute can be found on our website, watch this Bioeconomy Science Institute short clip.

Ready to Apply? | Kua rite koe ki te tono?

If you're enthusiastic about science and keen to apply your studies in a research setting, we'd love to hear from you. Bring your curiosity, motivation, and willingness to learn, and join us for an exciting summer research experience.