About the Opportunity

We are looking for an intern who is excited to join our Postharvest R&D team that researches fruit quality and shelf-life in berries. The intern will support Driscoll’s mission of delighting consumers by contributing to key research initiatives within the postharvest R&D team. The internship will primarily focus on developing, testing, and optimizing innovative methodologies for assessing key phenotypic and molecular components of fruit quality in berries. The person will accomplish success by collaborating on innovative projects alongside experienced team members, fostering both professional growth and scientific discovery. Additionally, the intern will contribute to ongoing projects aligned to Driscoll’s needs and the intern’s interests.

Responsibilities

•    Assist with optimization of analytical, biochemical, molecular and imaging methods to measure berry fruit quality components.
•    Perform postharvest shelf-life and quality evaluations on berries. 
•    Operate laboratory instruments.
•    Collect, enter, and analyze fruit quality data.
•    Maintains measurement and testing equipment in operational condition.
•    Maintains a safe and orderly work environment.
•    Communicates effectively with coworkers from different Driscoll’s departments including post-harvest, breeding, sensory and next gen breeding groups.
•    Ensures protection of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials.
•    Represents Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with co-workers, suppliers, customers, and the business community at large.
•    Other duties as assigned.
 

Candidate Profile

•    Be currently enrolled as an advanced undergraduate in plant biology, horticulture, biochemistry, or agriculture related field.
•    Understand the scientific methods including setting up lab experiments and testing a hypothesis.
•    Ability to work in both a research lab and outdoor field environment.
•    Excellent communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional research teams.
•    Great data collection, data analysis and interpretation skills. 
•    Be reliable, honest, and trustworthy.
•    Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
•    Precision in lab record/data keeping.

Preferred Qualifications & Leadership Competencies
•    Enrollment in MS preferred.
•    Prior experience with data analysis.
•    Experience with lab analytical, molecular, and biochemical tools.
•    Experience with image processing software like ImageJ.
•    Proficient in Microsoft Excel/Word/PowerPoint.
•    California driver’s license and the ability to be covered under company-sponsored vehicle insurance program. 
•    Junior to recent grad (Bachelor's level within 6 months of graduation): $18-$22/hour; Master to PhD $26-$29/hour

About Driscolls

Driscoll's is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll's is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.

Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.

Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.

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Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.

Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.

Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.