Laboratory Internships
Laboratory internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working scientists and technicians, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings across Education, Science & Research, and Chemicals & Materials are actively listed, with Elanco, Pilkington, and National Beef among the employers posting roles now.
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National Beef is looking for college students ready to explore a career in Food Safety and Technical Services Management to join our family for the summer of 2027 as a Food Safety Laboratory Technician Summer Intern.
This is an in-person, hands-on experience in a production facility. We will be placing one qualified intern in both our Liberal, Kansas, and Dodge City, Kansas facilities.
This is a paid internship. Housing allowance is included where required.
Program length: 10-12 weeks
You will be working for an industry leader in beef processing!
This experience will provide you with a broad introduction to the National Beef’s Laboratory process. You will work collaboratively with the Technical Services and Operations Teams and have networking opportunities with senior leadership in the facility.
As a Food Safety Laboratory Technician Intern, you will be responsible for preparing detailed reports for the Corporate Director of Technical Services and the facility Laboratory Manager summarizing key insights and experiences that you learned the previous week. The summer will end with a presentation to the Senior Technical Services Team and key Department heads to demonstrate what you have learned.
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Enrolled and have completed at least two years in an accredited college degree program focusing in one of the following fields of study:
- Animal Science
- Ag Business
- Microbiology/Chemistry
- Other related fields may be considered
- Must be classified as a junior for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in core curriculum classes
- Demonstrated leadership abilities and on-campus involvement
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Ability to work independently and be self-directed on project work
- Proficiency with all Microsoft Office products
- Availability to work 40+ hours per week (some weekend work) on-site for the duration of the internship
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are not able to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
National Beef is an equal-opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, natural origin, age, gender identity, protected veteran status, or status as a disabled individual.
National Beef is looking for college students ready to explore a career in Food Safety and Technical Services Management to join our family for the summer of 2027 as a Food Safety Laboratory Technician Summer Intern.
This is an in-person, hands-on experience in a production facility. We will be placing one qualified intern in both our Liberal, Kansas, and Dodge City, Kansas facilities.
This is a paid internship. Housing allowance is included where required.
Program length: 10-12 weeks
You will be working for an industry leader in beef processing!
This experience will provide you with a broad introduction to the National Beef’s Laboratory process. You will work collaboratively with the Technical Services and Operations Teams and have networking opportunities with senior leadership in the facility.
As a Food Safety Laboratory Technician Intern, you will be responsible for preparing detailed reports for the Corporate Director of Technical Services and the facility Laboratory Manager summarizing key insights and experiences that you learned the previous week. The summer will end with a presentation to the Senior Technical Services Team and key Department heads to demonstrate what you have learned.
-
Enrolled and have completed at least two years in an accredited college degree program focusing in one of the following fields of study:
- Animal Science
- Ag Business
- Microbiology/Chemistry
- Other related fields may be considered
- Must be classified as a junior for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in core curriculum classes
- Demonstrated leadership abilities and on-campus involvement
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Ability to work independently and be self-directed on project work
- Proficiency with all Microsoft Office products
- Availability to work 40+ hours per week (some weekend work) on-site for the duration of the internship
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are not able to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
National Beef is an equal-opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, natural origin, age, gender identity, protected veteran status, or status as a disabled individual.
Laboratory Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Chemicals & Materials
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Tips for Your Laboratory Internship Search
Apply earlier than the semester cycle suggests
Large employers in pharmaceutical, biotech, and government research recruit their summer laboratory cohorts the preceding fall. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check listings consistently from September onward rather than waiting until spring semester begins.
Build documented proof before you apply
Laboratory hiring teams evaluate candidates on what they can actually do at the bench or in the data pipeline. Prioritize completing two or three projects you can document fully, experimental write-ups, published analyses, or instrument-specific protocols, so recruiters have something concrete to assess beyond your coursework list.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller laboratory cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at fairs.
Practice your technical screen out loud before interviewing
Laboratory intern screens typically include a technical component, analytical problem-solving, instrument troubleshooting scenarios, or data interpretation exercises depending on the specialty. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, not just arriving at the answer, because interviewers weigh how you think as much as what you conclude.
Target structured laboratory internship programs first
Larger employers in pharmaceutical, environmental, and government research run cohort or rotational programs built to train people new to the field. These programs offer structured mentorship and defined project tracks, but they recruit early and fill fast, identify the ones that fit your specialty and submit in the first application wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 80% of the laboratory internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type so you are not reviewing roles you cannot accept.
Laboratory Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a laboratory internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For laboratory candidates, a documented lab notebook, published experimental results, or a portfolio of completed analyses gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a laboratory internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For laboratory interns, what actually drives it is performance on real bench or analytical work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer window closes. Treat every project as evidence of what you can do without counting on a guaranteed outcome.
When should I apply for laboratory internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers at pharmaceutical, biotech, and research firms recruit their summer laboratory cohorts the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to actual start dates, so openings appear year-round and monitoring listings consistently pays off rather than applying in a single sprint.
Are laboratory internships paid?
Most professional laboratory internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Stipend-only or unpaid arrangements do exist at some nonprofit research institutions, so read each listing carefully before applying.
What should a laboratory internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. List two or three complete, documented projects that name the instruments, software, or methods used and where to see the work, for laboratory candidates, that means linked experimental reports, published analyses, or a research poster. Add relevant coursework in chemistry, biology, or instrumentation, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote laboratory internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 20% of the laboratory internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get laboratory internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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