Post Harvest - Genetics Intern at Driscoll's in US - Watsonville, CA

Summary: Driscoll's is seeking a highly motivated intern to join their Postharvest R&D team, which focuses on the factors impacting fruit quality and shelf-life in berries. The intern will collaborate with cross-functional R&D teams to deepen understanding of postharvest traits and contribute to research initiatives. Responsibilities: - 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 Required Qualifications: - 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 ImageJ - 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 Preferred Qualifications: - 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 Required Skills: Plant biology, Biochemistry, Data analysis Important Skills: Image processing software, Analytical laboratory methods Nice-to-Have Skills: Microsoft Excel, Communication skills, Collaboration