IFF – Intern

Internships in food science, chemistry and flavour applications can help graduates and students gain practical laboratory experience, product-development exposure, sensory evaluation skills and a better understanding of how food and beverage innovation works in a global business environment. IFF is recruiting an Intern for its Johannesburg location in South Africa.

This is a 1-year on-site internship within the Innovation, Creation & Design (IC&D) team. The internship will run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027 and will give the successful candidate hands-on exposure to a global flavours laboratory environment.

Important: The official job title is listed as Intern, but the role content is focused on flavour creation support, flavour compounding, food and beverage applications, sample preparation, sensory evaluation and product development activities.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This is an on-site internship opportunity with IFF in Johannesburg.

The internship is based in IFF’s Innovation, Creation & Design team and focuses on practical support in a global flavours laboratory environment.

The successful intern will support Flavourists and Designers with flavour compounding, flavour applications, sample preparation and product development activities.

The role also includes exposure to local and global customer projects, product tastings, sensory evaluations, laboratory documentation, raw material handling, safety standards, quality practices and innovation processes.

The official advert does not state the salary, stipend, benefits, working hours, number of available positions or whether permanent employment may be available after the internship.

Who this opportunity may suit

This opportunity may suit a student or recent graduate in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field who wants practical exposure to flavour creation, laboratory work and product development.

It may be suitable for someone who has a strong interest in flavours, food applications, food and beverage innovation, laboratory practices, sensory evaluation and commercial product development.

The role may also suit candidates who are detail-oriented, organised, curious, proactive, willing to learn and comfortable working in a team-based laboratory environment.

Because this internship is on-site in Johannesburg, applicants should consider whether they can travel reliably to the workplace and attend the full internship period from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027.

What you will do and learn

The official vacancy confirms the following areas where the intern will make a difference:

Laboratory exposure and flavour support

• Gain hands-on exposure to a professional laboratory environment in a global flavour company.
• Support Flavourists and Designers in flavour applications.
• Assist with flavour compounding.
• Assist with sample preparation.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory samples, raw materials and documentation.

Projects and product development

• Assist in the development and execution of projects for local customers.
• Assist in the development and execution of projects for global customers.
• Support food and beverage product development activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support innovation and product development initiatives.
• Contribute to ongoing continuous improvement and innovation efforts.

Sensory evaluation and product testing

• Participate in product tastings.
• Participate in product evaluations.
• Take part in sensory analysis activities.
• Gain exposure to different food and beverage categories.
• Develop practical understanding of how flavour performance is assessed in applications.

Laboratory safety, quality and compliance

• Learn and apply best practices in laboratory safety.
• Learn and apply quality standards in a laboratory environment.
• Follow compliance requirements linked to laboratory work.
• Execute tasks assigned by IC&D team members with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Develop practical workplace habits under the guidance of experienced mentors.

Important: The duties above are based on the official vacancy. IFF may allocate additional reasonable laboratory, sample-preparation, documentation, sensory evaluation, product-development, safety, quality or team-support duties according to business and internship requirements.

Eligibility requirements

Applicant requirements

• Must be currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field.
• Must have a strong interest in flavours, food applications and product development.
• Should have a basic understanding of laboratory practices and safety standards.
• Should be detail-oriented.
• Should have good organisational and documentation skills.
• Should have a proactive mindset with willingness to learn and take initiative.
• Should have good communication skills.
• Should be able to work in a team environment.
• Should be able to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic setting.
• Should have curiosity and passion for the food and beverage industry.
• Should have a positive attitude and openness to feedback and mentorship.
• Must be available for the 1-year internship period from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027.
• Must be able to work on-site in Johannesburg.
• Must provide complete, accurate and truthful information during the recruitment process.

Qualification requirement explained

The official vacancy is aimed at applicants who are currently pursuing or have recently completed a degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field.

Applicants should clearly state their qualification name, institution, field of study, current year of study or completion date on their CV.

If the qualification is still in progress, applicants should state this clearly and provide accurate study information.

Applicants should not list qualifications they do not have. IFF may verify education information during the recruitment process.

Laboratory interest requirement explained

The official advert requires a strong interest in flavours, food applications and product development.

Applicants should use their CV to show genuine interest in laboratory work, flavour applications, product testing, food and beverage projects, sensory evaluation, chemistry, biochemistry or food science.

Relevant examples may include academic practicals, laboratory coursework, research projects, food product development assignments, sensory evaluation activities, quality projects, internships or student projects.

Preferred experience that may help you stand out

The official vacancy states that the following experience may help applicants stand out:

• Previous internship or academic project experience in food or flavour applications.
• Exposure to sensory evaluation or product testing.
• Strong analytical thinking.
• Problem-solving skills.

These are not listed as compulsory requirements, but they may strengthen an application if they are genuine and clearly explained.

Skills and personal attributes that may help

• Interest in flavours and food applications.
• Interest in product development.
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety.
• Good documentation habits.
• Attention to detail.
• Organisation and task management.
• Willingness to learn from mentors.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Curiosity about the food and beverage industry.
• Positive attitude and openness to feedback.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.

What this opportunity really means

This is a practical laboratory-based internship for someone who wants to build early-career experience in the flavour, food science and product development environment.

The successful intern should expect hands-on exposure to flavour compounding, sample preparation, sensory evaluations, food and beverage applications, documentation and laboratory support work.

The internship is based on-site, so applicants should not treat it as a remote or hybrid opportunity unless IFF confirms otherwise.

The role may provide a strong foundation for future career opportunities in food science, flavour applications, product development, sensory analysis, laboratory support, innovation and research-related environments.

Applicants should confirm salary or stipend, working hours, reporting line, laboratory safety requirements and any additional employment conditions directly with IFF if shortlisted.

Application checklist

Prepare the following information and documents before applying:

• Updated CV.
• Clear copy of your South African identity document or passport, if requested.
• Proof of your Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related qualification, if requested.
• Academic transcript, if requested.
• Details of whether your qualification is completed or still in progress.
• Examples of laboratory practicals, academic projects or research work.
• Examples of food, flavour, beverage or product development projects, if relevant.
• Examples of sensory evaluation or product testing exposure, if applicable.
• Examples showing laboratory safety awareness.
• Examples showing documentation, organisation and attention to detail.
• Reliable cellphone number and professional email address.
• Any supporting documents requested through the official IFF Workday application platform.

Need assistance with CVs, certified documents and application preparation? Visit our Learnership Resources and Guides.

Important note for applicants

This is a 1-year internship running from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027.

The internship is based on-site at IFF’s Johannesburg location.

The official advert does not state the salary, stipend, benefits, daily working hours, number of available positions or whether permanent employment may be available after the internship.

Applicants should make sure their CV clearly shows their Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related qualification, as well as any laboratory, sensory evaluation, product testing or food and beverage project exposure.

IFF states that it values diversity and strives for an inclusive workplace where colleagues can bring their authentic selves to work regardless of religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation or disability.

About the sponsor

IFF is a global company operating across taste, scent, food ingredients, health and biosciences.

The company works with science, creativity and innovation to help customers create products across food, beverage, health, scent and related categories.

The official vacancy describes IFF as a global leader in taste, scent and nutrition, offering customers a broad range of natural solutions and accelerating its growth strategy.

Learn more through the official IFF website

Quick tips for applicants

• Apply early because the official application end date is 17 July 2026.
• Use job requisition ID R19272 when tracking the application.
• Make sure your CV clearly shows your Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related qualification.
• State whether your qualification is completed or still in progress.
• Include laboratory practicals, academic projects or research experience where relevant.
• Highlight food, flavour, beverage, sensory evaluation or product testing experience if you have it.
• Use examples that show attention to detail, documentation skills and laboratory safety awareness.
• Show curiosity and passion for the food and beverage industry.
• Do not exaggerate laboratory or sensory evaluation experience.
• Check that your cellphone number and email address are correct.
• Submit by 16 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the official deadline.

Common mistakes that get applicants rejected

• Applying without a Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related qualification in progress or recently completed.
• Submitting a CV that does not show laboratory interest or laboratory exposure clearly.
• Leaving sensory evaluation, product testing or academic project experience off the CV where relevant.
• Not showing attention to detail, organisation or documentation ability.
• Ignoring that the internship is on-site in Johannesburg.
• Not being available for the full internship period from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027.
• Claiming laboratory, food application or sensory evaluation experience that cannot be explained.
• Providing incorrect education dates or qualification details.
• Using an incorrect cellphone number or email address.
• Uploading an outdated or incomplete CV.
• Submitting the application after 17 July 2026.

Scam warning (important)

Applicants should apply only through the official IFF Workday careers page or another vacancy page clearly linked from an official IFF website.

Do not pay anyone for registration, an application, an interview, a background check, training, laboratory access, equipment, uniform or placement. Legitimate employers do not require applicants to pay money to secure an internship opportunity.

Do not share banking PINs, passwords, one-time PINs or unnecessary financial information with anyone claiming that they can guarantee an IFF internship.

Be cautious of recruitment messages sent from unofficial email addresses, private social-media accounts or cellphone numbers that request payment, favours, banking information or confidential documents outside the official application process.

Upload identity documents, qualifications, transcripts and other sensitive documents only through the official and secure recruitment process.

Always return to the official IFF Workday vacancy page to confirm that the opportunity and application link remain genuine and available.

How this opportunity was verified

This opportunity was verified from the official IFF Workday recruitment listing for Intern, job requisition ID R19272.

The official listing confirmed the job title, on-site remote type, Johannesburg location, full-time schedule, posted-today listing status, application end date, job requisition ID, internship summary, 1-year internship dates, IC&D team, laboratory environment, flavour compounding, applications, sample preparation, sensory evaluation, product development and mentorship exposure.

The official listing also confirmed the qualification requirements, interest in flavours and product development, laboratory safety awareness, documentation skills, communication skills, teamwork, deadline management, preferred food or flavour application experience, sensory evaluation exposure, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills and the company’s diversity and inclusion statement.

The official vacancy did not state the salary, stipend, benefits, daily working hours, number of available positions or whether permanent employment may be available after the internship when last checked.

Read more about our verification process on the How We Verify Listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official IFF Workday application link below.
2. Read the complete Intern vacancy carefully.
3. Confirm that you meet the qualification, laboratory-interest and on-site availability requirements.
4. Confirm that you are available for the internship period from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027.
5. Prepare your updated CV and any supporting documents requested by the official Workday platform.
6. Select the Apply option on the official vacancy page.
7. Create a Workday candidate profile or sign in if you already have one.
8. Complete all personal, education, experience and declaration questions honestly.
9. Enter your Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, laboratory, sensory evaluation, product testing and project experience accurately.
10. Upload your updated CV and any documents requested by the official platform.
11. Check that your cellphone number, email address, qualification details and uploaded documents are correct.
12. Submit the application by 16 July 2026 where possible.
13. Keep the application confirmation or proof of submission.

Application Closing Date

The official application end date is 17 July 2026.

The official vacancy does not state the exact closing time. Applicants should submit by 16 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline because of technical issues, missing documents or an incomplete Workday profile.

Application Notes

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If no response is received within 2 weeks, consider your application unsuccessful. IFF values diversity and strives for an inclusive workplace. Applicants must ensure that all qualification, laboratory, project, sensory evaluation, availability and personal information submitted through the official recruitment platform is complete, accurate and truthful.