Chemistry & Biology Internship
Hiring Organization:
E&J Gallo Winery
Employment type: Internship
Job Location: Modesto, CA, US
Application Due Date: March 31, 2023
Chemistry and Systems Biology Internship 2023
Why Gallo?
With a global portfolio of over 100 unique wine and spirits brands, we are the largest family-owned winery in the world. Apply Today! Our Brands. Your Future.
Chemistry and Systems Biology Internship 2023
Duration: June-November or June-December 2023
Location: Modesto, CA
Program Description
Imagine what you could learn working with the industry’s most innovative grape growing and winemaking research and development team. Contribute to cutting edge research while learning first-hand how high-quality wines and spirits are produced. Interns work cross-functionally to support the research projects and production-support platforms required to produce nearly 100 million cases of wines and spirits annually. It won’t take long for you to see our passion and expertise for grape and wine research or to experience our culture where innovation and continuous improvement are highly valued. For nearly a century the members of our winegrowing research team have helped to establish E&J Gallo as the world’s leader in wine innovation.
Our internship program provides students interested in Chemistry and Systems Biology research the opportunity to spend five to six months working alongside scientists and technical professionals at one of our production sites. Most internships begin in early to mid-summer and continue through harvest into the late fall, providing participants with a unique experience for technical training and professional development. Interns support a wide variety of corporate initiatives and research projects as well as conduct individual projects which will be presented to our management team at the completion of their internship. Internship opportunities are related but not limited to a wide variety of academic disciplines including Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Enology, Food Science, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, and Genetics. Additional details on specific opportunities are provided below.
Placement Opportunities:
Chemistry Research Interns conduct research that progress our foundational knowledge in grape & wine chemistry and linkages to product quality and sensory attributes.
Research Applications Interns assist in chemical analyses of grapes and wine and associated method optimization to support production harvest decisions and research functions.
Micro- and Systems Biology Interns assist with the characterization of genetic interactions between grapes and yeast, the biotransformation of aroma and mouthfeel compounds during fermentation, as well as the evaluation of novel processing technologies in the winemaking process.
CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
Location: Modesto, CA
Duration: June – November
Interns conduct research which advances our foundational knowledge in grape and wine chemistry. Students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art analytical equipment and method development, enhancing the skills and experience necessary for graduate school and/or future careers in R&D. Interns participate in team projects that elucidate chemical metrics to improve our commercial processes, product quality, and predictive sensory capabilities.
What You Will Do:
Develop and refine methodologies to characterize aroma and mouthfeel properties of grapes and wines.
Establish relevance of chemical metrics by modeling their relationship to sensory and grape and wine quality attributes.
Work cross-functionally with R&D partners to establish chemical specifications for sensory attributes across the Gallo beverage portfolio.
Employ appropriate statistical methods to analyze data and generate experimental insight.
RESEARCH APPLICATIONS
Location: Modesto, CA
Duration: June – November
Interns assist in research and production support activities involving the chemical analyses of grapes and wine. Students gain experience in the operation of cutting-edge analytical equipment and execution of advanced analytical methods. Interns participate in cross-functional projects which contribute to the improvement of grape growing and winemaking practices.
What You Will Do:
Evaluate the chemical characteristics of grapes throughout their maturation process.
Research and implement rapid and high-throughput analytical methods to measure and monitor juice and wine attributes.
Facilitate the scale up and commercialization of research advancements in grape and wine chemistry.
MICRO AND SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
Location: Modesto, CA
Duration: June – December
The Micro and Systems Biology team uses a multi-disciplinary approach to study the biology of yeast, bacteria and grapevines in order to better understand biochemical pathways contributing to wine sensory attributes at the molecular level. The group also studies the effects of yeast, bacteria, and enzymes on winemaking processes, wine composition and sensory attributes. Interns will assist in research focused on the characterization of interactions between grapes and yeast, the biotransformation of aroma and mouthfeel compounds during fermentation, as well as the evaluation of novel processing technologies in the winemaking process.
What You Will Do:
Perform molecular biology laboratory techniques including the extraction of nucleic acids from grapes and yeast.
Perform microbiological techniques including isolation, identification, directed evolution, and maintenance of yeast strains.
Perform gene expression analysis (qPCR), nucleic acid electrophoresis and sequence analysis.
Evaluate the performance of yeast strains and characterize wine sensory compounds produced during primary and secondary fermentations.
Evaluate novel grape and wine processing technologies and their effects on product differentiation.
What You Will Need
High School diploma or State-issued equivalency certificate.
Currently enrolled at a college or university and working towards a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in the school of Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering; OR have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in the school of Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering
Available for the entire duration of the internship program area(s) of interest.
Strong applied technical skills and analytical problem-solving skills.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Candidates for this position must have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record. Required to obtain a California driver’s license or appropriate state driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
Reliable transportation to and from work.
Required to lift and move up to 40 lbs. when necessary.
Required to work at heights of 50 feet, on tops of tanks inspecting wine surfaces when necessary.
Required to be 21 years of age.
Requires availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays when necessary.
What Will Set You Apart
Junior or Senior class standing at a college or university and working towards a Bachelor’s degree in the school of Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering; OR working towards a Master’s degree in the school of Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering.
Excellent organizational and team skills and experience managing multiple assignments.
Experience conducting research independently and in teams.
Familiarity with grape, wine, spirits, and alcoholic beverage research and/or production.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Inside/Outside conditions: Work ranges from inside in research and production laboratory facilities to outside with weather of varying types.
Must be able to lift and carry 40 pounds.
Wet/Slippery conditions vary and may include work in rain.
Noise levels may vary. Occasional situations where ear protection is required.
Print
Email