Research Intern Jobs in Minnesota
Research Intern jobs in Minnesota concentrate in biomedical research, public health, environmental science, and applied social policy, with the Twin Cities metro anchoring the state's most active hiring market and secondary demand in Rochester and Duluth. Major institutions including the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and 3M maintain consistent research intern pipelines across disciplines, from lab-based life sciences to data-driven policy analysis. The most in-demand specialties are clinical research, environmental studies, and quantitative data analysis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About SunOpta
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
Job Summary:
This is a 12-week program where interns will apply the knowledge and skills they've gained in the classroom by working alongside professionals at SunOpta. As part of the team, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience, contribute to meaningful projects, and improve processes. They will also gain insight into the latest trends in the food industry while helping to create new and innovative products.
Essential Functions of the Job:
- R&D INTERNSHIP
- Improve current product (beverages, fruit snacks, or ingredients) yield and quality
- Conduct bench-top and pilot experiments, sample preparation, analytical testing, and product evaluations
- Support sensory testing, shelf-life studies, and data collection
- Assist on process and product documentation
- Assist with ingredient research, literature review, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with other cross-functional teams like QA, Engineering, Procurement and Marketing
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must be working towards a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, Microbiology or related field.
- Candidates must be at least a sophomore in college and actively pursuing a degree.
- Graduate students will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous internship experience.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Additional Considerations:
- Travel: Travel may be required to various SunOpta locations for plant trials or other job-related functions
- Location: This position will be located at our Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
- This is a 12-week program, running 5/17/27 through 8/6/27.
- Pay Rate: $20.00/hour.
- Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
Job Details
About SunOpta
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
Job Summary:
This is a 12-week program where interns will apply the knowledge and skills they've gained in the classroom by working alongside professionals at SunOpta. As part of the team, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience, contribute to meaningful projects, and improve processes. They will also gain insight into the latest trends in the food industry while helping to create new and innovative products.
Essential Functions of the Job:
- R&D INTERNSHIP
- Improve current product (beverages, fruit snacks, or ingredients) yield and quality
- Conduct bench-top and pilot experiments, sample preparation, analytical testing, and product evaluations
- Support sensory testing, shelf-life studies, and data collection
- Assist on process and product documentation
- Assist with ingredient research, literature review, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with other cross-functional teams like QA, Engineering, Procurement and Marketing
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must be working towards a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, Microbiology or related field.
- Candidates must be at least a sophomore in college and actively pursuing a degree.
- Graduate students will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous internship experience.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Additional Considerations:
- Travel: Travel may be required to various SunOpta locations for plant trials or other job-related functions
- Location: This position will be located at our Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
- This is a 12-week program, running 5/17/27 through 8/6/27.
- Pay Rate: $20.00/hour.
- Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
Job Details
See All 10 Research Intern Jobs in Minnesota
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Find Research Intern JobsResearch Intern Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Intern Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research intern jobs across Minnesota.
- Current enrollment in a bachelor's or master's program at a Minnesota college or university
- Experience with research methods such as data collection, literature review, or statistical analysis
- Proficiency in data analysis tools including Excel, R, SPSS, or Python
- Strong written communication skills for research reports and academic or professional audiences
- Ability to work independently on assigned projects with faculty or professional supervisor guidance
- Familiarity with IRB protocols or ethical standards for research involving human subjects
Research Intern Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research intern in Minnesota?
Most research intern roles in Minnesota require current enrollment in a bachelor's or graduate program in a relevant field such as biology, public health, social science, or engineering. There is no state-issued license for the research intern role itself, but positions at clinical sites like Mayo Clinic or the University of Minnesota may require completion of institutional research compliance training, including CITI Program certification for human subjects research. A strong academic record and prior lab or project experience improve competitiveness significantly.
Which companies hire research interns in Minnesota?
Companies currently hiring research interns in Minnesota include Beck's Hybrids, Ecolab, and SunOpta, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Minnesota's concentration of healthcare systems, Fortune 500 headquarters, and major public research universities means intern openings arise across a wide range of disciplines throughout the academic year.
Which Minnesota cities have the most research intern jobs?
Olivia, Minneapolis, and Minnesota have the most research intern openings in Minnesota. The Twin Cities metro drives the largest share of postings because it is home to the University of Minnesota, several major hospital systems, and corporate research and development centers, while Rochester's concentration is anchored by Mayo Clinic, and Duluth draws openings from the University of Minnesota Duluth and regional environmental and public health organizations.
Are there remote research intern jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because many research intern roles involve lab work, on-site data collection, or direct collaboration with faculty or clinical teams. About 100% of research intern openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote options concentrated in literature review, qualitative analysis, policy research, and data-focused positions that do not require physical presence in a lab or clinical setting.
How can I get hired as a research intern in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to undergraduate research programs at Minnesota's public universities, where faculty-supervised positions are designed for students with no prior research background. The University of Minnesota's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program places students in paid and unpaid lab and policy research roles across departments. Mayo Clinic and large Twin Cities health systems run structured student internship programs for those with no clinical research history. Building a portfolio through coursework projects, presenting at a departmental symposium, or completing CITI human subjects training before applying gives candidates a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to research intern jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to research intern jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current Minnesota openings across industries and locations. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and availability, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 10 Research Intern Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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