Microbiology Quality Technician Internship - Summer 2027

The NQAC team is committed to being a force for good, protecting the safety and wellbeing of consumers across the nation. We provide comprehensive testing services to all of Nestlé’s production facilities and co-manufacturers, ensuring that our food and beverage products meet the highest safety, quality, and regulatory standards. As an organization, we’re driven by our mission to strengthen consumer trust, and have created a workplace where collaboration is essential, courage is rewarded, speed is expected, and agility is the norm.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Food Microbiology intern fulfills a key role within NQAC Dublin, performing a support function with minimum supervision and providing quality results in a timely fashion.

The position supports the Nestlé Quality Assurance Center of Dublin, OH (NQAC Dublin) mission of providing specialized laboratory services to ensure that Nestlé products are safe, satisfy all applicable regulatory requirements and meet the quality expectations of our customers and consumers.

This specific internship position performs and documents tasks related to sample processing and assays – helping evaluate the quality of our analytical performance when tests are applied to varied sample matrixes. To do this, this role will use written operating procedures, standard laboratory methods, and/or basic laboratory techniques, functions, and equipment. The role conducts specific procedures and tests within the laboratory requiring the use of applied knowledge and practical skills learned from on-the-job experience; modifies or adapts techniques to fit special needs or problems and can assist with specialized and non-routine tests and assays.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide support to laboratory department by performing and/or coordinating a variety of laboratory processes.  

• Registers and prepares samples for general analytical testing through data entry, weighing and physical homogenization.
• Preps and performs routine to more complex analyses per NQAC methods.
• Reads and records results of analyses, making sure to keep identification numbers matched with correct samples.
• Operates basic laboratory equipment such as balances, pH meter, autoclave, etc.
• Provide assurance of quality and support of quality processes for the Laboratory/Center. 

• Assure quality of results by assisting with establishment and maintenance of QA documents, plans and ICPs.
• Document QA data and report to lead or management.
• Assure equipment is maintained in reliable working order and make repairs or modifications within the capability of the Technician or request repairs.
  Processes/Methods 
• Participate/lead in Lean Laboratory initiatives.

• Assist in in review, improvement, and documentation for processes or methods as experience allows.

Training                                

• Attend internal and external training programs as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL:

Relevant academic coursework or 1-year practical relevant experience in an analytical laboratory highly preferred. Rising junior or senior preferred.

Skills:

• Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry,  Food Safety or any STEM related majors are preferred
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office Applications:  Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• English Language Skills (Basic reading, writing, speaking, etc.)
• Professionalism
• Ability to perform trained tasks and follow lab SOPs.
• Contributes to a team environment and builds effective relationships.
• Ability to learn new tasks in expected amount of time.