Are you interested in working in a professional research setting and passionate about Research and Innovation? Do you want to have an impact on the products of a renowned multinational company, like Danone? Then apply now and become our new Intern at the Research and Innovation Center in Utrecht, starting from February 2026!

As our Intern in Plant Proteins, you will join the Advanced Protein team at Danone, a group dedicated to assessing the technical feasibility of integrating innovative ingredients, concepts, and scientific insights into new or existing products and technologies, all driven by consumer needs.

In this role, you will support the team in exploring plant protein functionality across various product applications.

Key responsibilities include:

• Evaluate the techno-functionality of plant proteins across various product applications.
• Investigate the impact of protein modifications on functional properties, and identify strategies to enhance their effectiveness in targeted applications.
• Analyze data and correlate the physicochemical properties of plant proteins with their behavior in final products.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams to drive the research.

Meet your future manager! You will be supervised by Ahmad Shakeel (Protein Rheology Scientist).

You are a Master student in Food Technology, Food Science, Biotechnology or in a relevant discipline with a strong interest in protein functionality of plant sources. You have studied about this topic and have experience (research or projects) in working with protein ingredients and processing technology. You feel comfortable in the laboratorial environment, and you are a hands-on and data driven person. You are a motivated critical thinker, you have an analytical mindset and are eager to understand the physical and chemical processes underlying each product. You can work autonomously and are not afraid to proactively reach out to people when necessary. You have effective communication skills and have excellent time management skills.

There are also some compulsory requirements:

• Enrolled as a Bachelors/Masters student during the whole internship period;
• You are a resident of the Netherlands and hold a valid BSN number (if you are a non-EU citizen, you need to have a valid Dutch residency permit);
• Ideally available to start in February 2026 for a minimum of 6 months, 5 days per week;
• You are fluent in English - spoken and written;
• You are able to work from our Utrecht office.

Working at Danone is a unique experience. It’s fast-paced and complex and, at times, it can get a little challenging. But it’s packed with opportunities to learn and grow working with some of the best-known brands in the world, like Evian, Alpro, Nutricia, Activia and Nutrilon. Bring your unique perspective, ambitions and entrepreneurial ideas to the table – the impact you could make might just surprise you. One Planet. One Health – BY YOU.

We’re proud to be a B-Corp certified company. That means we meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability in everything we do.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we base our hiring decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.*

We Offer

In addition to gaining invaluable hands-on experience at a large multinational organization, we offer:  

• A competitive gross internship allowance of 650 euros per month (based on a full-time internship);
• Home working allowance of 2.40 euros per day;
• A public transport travel card covering all office-related travel;
• Hybrid working environment allowing for desired flexibility;
• Career advice opportunities such as workshops, seminars, networking events;
• International environment with 140 different nationalities in Danone NL;
• Active Internship community with 100+ interns across the Netherlands.

What’s Next

It’s simple – hit the “apply” button before the application deadline of 7^th October. In order to comply with GDPR we can’t process your personal data without your given consent, so please apply directly via this website. Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you.

Need more information? Please contact Eugenia Bouzas, Campus Talent Manager via eugenia.bouzas@danone.com

* all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status