Internship - Food Scientist - Job Opportunity at Nutropy

Évry, France
Internship
Entry-level
Posted: August 25, 2025
On-site
EUR 800-1,200 per month for a 6-month food science internship in the Paris region, reflecting above-market rates for biotechnology startups with venture backing and the specialized nature of precision fermentation technology.

Benefits

Opportunity to directly impact product quality and development in the emerging alternative dairy market
Exposure to cutting-edge precision fermentation technology and biotechnology applications
Professional development in a fast-paced multicultural startup environment with international exposure
Mentorship and hands-on experience in R&D project management and food product development
Visa assistance for international candidates demonstrating company commitment to global talent acquisition
Equal opportunity workplace with strong diversity and inclusion policies

Key Responsibilities

Lead development and scale-up initiatives for next-generation food product formulations, directly contributing to market-ready alternative dairy solutions
Design and execute strategic R&D experiments to optimize product characteristics including taste, texture, and shelf life for commercial viability
Identify process bottlenecks and implement innovative solutions to improve production efficiency and product quality
Maintain rigorous documentation standards and present findings to leadership, contributing to strategic decision-making processes
Drive cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment between R&D objectives and business goals
Conduct market research and literature analysis to propose cutting-edge solutions in precision fermentation technology
Manage laboratory operations including equipment maintenance and inventory optimization to support continuous research operations

Requirements

Education

Ongoing degree in food science or related disciplines (bachelor to masters)

Experience

Previous work on prototype development is a plus, Experience in managing and executing R&D projects, ideally with new ingredients is a plus

Required Skills

Interest in food product development dairy products microbiology lipids or proteins Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment Working English French is a plus Independent well organized and proactive Precise and capable of prioritising tasks Problem-solver and agile Strong communicator Positive and benevolent outlook Motivated to work in a dynamic start-up environment
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The alternative dairy market is experiencing exponential growth with precision fermentation technology leading the next wave of innovation, as major food corporations and venture capital firms invest billions in developing animal-free dairy alternatives that match traditional dairy in taste and functionality. Consumer demand for sustainable and ethical food products is driving significant market expansion, with younger demographics particularly willing to pay premium prices for environmentally conscious alternatives that don't compromise on taste or nutritional value. Regulatory frameworks in Europe are becoming increasingly favorable for novel food technologies, with the EU leading global efforts to streamline approval processes for precision fermentation products, creating a competitive advantage for European-based companies in this space.

Role Significance

Likely working within a small, focused R&D team of 5-8 scientists and engineers, typical of venture-backed biotech startups where individual contributions have amplified impact on product development and company success.
Entry-level position with high learning potential and direct exposure to cutting-edge biotechnology, offering exceptional professional development opportunities in an emerging high-growth industry with significant commercial and environmental impact potential.

Key Projects

Development of milk protein expression optimization in precision fermentation systems Formulation testing for cheese applications using bioidentical dairy proteins Sensory analysis and consumer testing for alternative dairy products Process scaling and manufacturing efficiency improvements Regulatory compliance documentation for novel food applications

Success Factors

Strong foundation in food chemistry and microbiology with particular emphasis on protein and lipid functionality in dairy applications Adaptability and learning agility to work with novel biotechnology platforms and emerging scientific methodologies in precision fermentation Cross-functional collaboration skills to effectively work with biotechnology, marketing, and business development teams in a fast-paced startup environment Problem-solving capabilities to troubleshoot complex formulation challenges and process optimization issues Communication skills to translate technical findings into business-relevant insights for diverse stakeholders

Market Demand

Very high demand for food scientists specializing in alternative proteins and precision fermentation, as the industry faces a significant talent shortage while experiencing rapid expansion and substantial investment inflows.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Food science fundamentals are essential as this role requires deep understanding of protein functionality, lipid behavior, and dairy chemistry to successfully develop products that match consumer expectations for traditional dairy alternatives. Microbiology expertise is crucial given the precision fermentation technology platform, requiring understanding of fermentation processes, microbial systems, and bioprocess optimization for commercial-scale production. Analytical and problem-solving capabilities are vital for identifying process bottlenecks, troubleshooting formulation challenges, and developing innovative solutions in an emerging technology space with limited established protocols.

Beneficial Skills

French language skills would provide significant advantage for local market research, regulatory communications, and collaboration with French food industry partners and suppliers. Experience with prototype development demonstrates practical application of food science principles and indicates ability to translate theoretical knowledge into tangible product outcomes. Cross-functional collaboration experience is valuable given the interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology companies where R&D must work closely with engineering, business development, and regulatory teams.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work with precision fermentation technology at the forefront of the alternative dairy revolution, gaining expertise in one of the most promising sustainable food production methods
Direct involvement in developing products that could significantly impact global food sustainability and animal welfare, providing meaningful work beyond traditional career development
Exposure to venture-backed startup dynamics and potential for equity participation or full-time conversion in a high-growth company
Hands-on experience with novel ingredient development and food formulation challenges unique to bioidentical dairy proteins

Career Growth

Typical progression to full-time junior scientist role within 6-12 months post-internship, with potential for rapid advancement to specialist positions within 2-3 years given the high-growth nature of the alternative dairy industry.

Potential Next Roles

Junior Food Scientist in alternative protein companies R&D Specialist in precision fermentation or biotechnology firms Product Development Manager in food innovation Technical Applications Scientist in ingredient companies Regulatory Affairs Specialist for novel foods

Company Overview

Nutropy

Nutropy represents a new generation of European biotech companies leveraging precision fermentation to create animal-free dairy alternatives, positioning itself at the intersection of biotechnology innovation and sustainable food production with significant venture capital backing.

Emerging player in the competitive precision fermentation space, competing with established companies like Perfect Day and newer entrants, with potential competitive advantages in European market access and regulatory navigation.
Strategically located in the Paris region, benefiting from France's strong biotechnology ecosystem and proximity to major European food manufacturers and regulatory bodies, providing advantages for business development and market penetration.
Dynamic startup environment characterized by rapid decision-making, high autonomy, and direct impact on product development, typical of venture-backed biotech companies with strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability mission.
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