Post Harvest - Genetics Intern

About The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated intern to join our Postharvest R&D team, which studies the phenotypic, genetic, and physiological factors that impact fruit quality and shelf-life in berries. This role supports Driscoll’s core purpose of delighting consumers by advancing research that strengthens postharvest performance.

Location
: US - Watsonville, California

Job Family
:
Internship Program

Time Type
:
Full time

Job Requisition : R0008644

Experience Years
: 0-3 Years of Experience

Employee Type
:
Intern

• Develop, measure and optimize biochemical, physiological, analytical and other relevant methods to quantify flavor inconsistency, color development during ripening and other key postharvest traits in berries.
• Perform postharvest shelf life and quality evaluations on diverse berry types.
• Operate and maintain analytical laboratory equipment.
• Collect, enter, curate and analyze phenotypic postharvest data.
• Maintains measurement and testing equipment in operational condition.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work environment.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including postharvest, 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.

• This is an on‑site 4-month internship based in Watsonville, CA, ideally running from May/June to September/October

• Be currently enrolled as an advanced undergraduate in plant biology, horticulture, biochemistry, or an agriculture-related field.
• Understand scientific methods, including setting up lab experiments and testing a hypothesis.
• Ability to work in both a research lab and an outdoor field environment.
• Great data collection, data analysis, and interpretation skills.
• Precision in lab record/data keeping.
• Experience with image processing software like Image
  
  J.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional research teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel/Word/PowerPoint.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
• California driver’s license and the ability to be covered under a company-sponsored vehicle insurance program.

• Experience with lab analytical, molecular, and biochemical laboratory methods relevant to fruit ripening or postharvest biology.
• Prior experience with data analysis and data management
• Plans & Aligns:
  Establishes priorities and desired outcomes and creates plans to achieve them.
• Drives Results:
  Pursues everything with energy, resourcefulness, and the need to achieve desired outcomes.
• Collaborates:
  Works with a variety of colleagues, inside and/or outside of Driscoll’s, seeking win‑win solutions.

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™.

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 product ores 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.