Intern – Microbiology Lab

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever.  We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility.  IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

Freshpet is looking for a Microbiology Lab Intern for Summer 2025 at our Bethlehem, PA facility.  This summer internship approximate dates are from May 2025 to August 2025.  You will be working Monday – Friday, 40 hours maximum per week.

 Proposed Internship Project

Project Identification:  

• Micro Project:  Bio Mapping Project, Line swabbing, sample analysis 

Short Term Goals:  Collect data on micro growth occurring real-time on the production line

  How You Will Make an Impact 

As a Food Microbiology Intern, you will work closely with the food safety team to support the testing and analysis of food products for microbial contamination. This internship provides the opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting, gain experience with microbiological testing methods, and contribute to the overall safety and quality of food products.

 Some task examples could include:

• Assist in the preparation and analysis of food samples for microbiological testing (e.g., pathogens, spoilage organisms, and hygiene indicators).
• Perform routine microbiological tests including plating, incubation, and interpretation of results.
• Help with the maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment and ensure that lab supplies are stocked.
• Support in the preparation of microbiological media and reagents.
• Document and report testing results and ensure compliance with food safety regulations and internal quality standards.
• Assist with data entry, analysis, and generation of reports for senior microbiologists and other team members.
• Contribute to the investigation of microbiological issues in production and packaging environments.
• Maintain a clean and organized lab environment, following all safety protocols and guidelines.

What You Will Bring 

• Enrolled at an accredited college/university while working towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science or Meat Science are preferred
• You are at minimum in your sophomore year, in good standing as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at your college or University
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite – especially Excel
• Willingness to roll up sleeves and perform a variety of tasks necessary to support the organization
• Proven leadership skills
• Strong analytical thinking skills and quick acclimation to systems
• Work in a cold environment
• Learn quickly and work well independently
• Collaborate, communicate and work effectively in a team environment
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Works with assigned priorities, projects and timelines concurrently

What We Offer

• A competitive internship salary
• Paid holidays that fall within the timeframe of your internship
• Fully stocked cafeteria with all food free to interns and employees
• Free Freshpet food for your dog or cat

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. 

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.

 #LI-DNI