Your activities
Infant nutrition continues to evolve toward formulas that more closely reflect human milk. In this context, you will help our Product Formulations team strengthen how we maintain amino‑acid profiles when total protein is reduced, so our products meet nutritional targets and regulatory requirements while remaining practical for production.
Are you looking for a Product Development/R&D internship where you can contribute to real formulation challenges and make scientific insights matter? This assignment could be the right fit for you.
In infant formulas there is a trend to decrease the protein level of the product. Over the past decades, the protein level in infant formulas is going further down with every new product introduction. It is related to the fact that human milk is also quite low in protein, much lower than the levels in cow’s or goat’s milk. Legislation, especially European, also reflects this, where the minimum levels are also decreasing over the decades. As these proteins are delivering essential amino acids, the goal of the assignment would be to take a deep dive into multiple perspectives. This would require understanding of our formulation process, thoroughly reviewing existing data, going to and connecting with the colleagues at the production locations, analysing if additional analyses need to be carried out and providing advice about the optimizations in our process. The assignment is about connecting the dots and connecting the people.Additionally, during your internship we may ask you to support other Product Development related topics.
What you’ll do
- Assessment approach: You will explore and help streamline how essential amino acids are evaluated within our formulation process.
- Data & analyses: You will review existing data and, where needed, coordinate additional lab analyses together with our analytics specialist.
- Actionable guidance: You will translate findings into clear, concise guidance for Product Developers to apply in day to day formulation work.
- Collaboration: You will work cross functionally with R&D, the lab, and production locations to ensure recommendations are feasible on the factory floor.
What you’ll learn & deliver
- A short, traceable workflow to assess amino acids suitable for routine use in formulations.
- Data supported recommendations that strengthen our approach while staying aligned with manufacturing and compliance.
- A concise memo + slide pack that outlines insights, risks, and Go/No Go considerations, without disclosing calculation specifics.
Our team
Ausnutria is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to providing high-quality nutritional products to consumers worldwide. With a rich heritage and a strong dedication to innovation and sustainability, Ausnutria b.v. has established itself as a trusted name in the dairy sector. Our mission is to contribute to the health and well-being of people by offering superior dairy solutions that cater to the nutritional needs of various life stages.
Almost 900 employees work at Ausnutria in the Netherlands, spread across our head office in Zwolle and our production locations in Kampen, Leeuwarden and Heerenveen. The location of this internship is Zwolle, where you will be working within the R&D department as part of the Product Formulations team.
You are the fit if
- You are currently studying Food Science/Nutrition, Dairy Technology, Laboratory Technology, Chemical or Bioprocess Engineering, or a similar study (HBO/BSc/MSc);
- You have interest in protein chemistry, amino acid profiling, and regulatory nutrition for infant formula;
- You have strong accuracy, clear communication skills, and a collaborative mindset;
- You are proficient in English (Dutch is a plus);
- You are comfortable working with Excel; experience with statistical programming is welcome but not required;
- You are currently living and studying in the Netherlands.
Rewards & benefits
- You receive an internship allowance of €625 per month (based on a 40‑hour work week);
- You join us for an internship duration of 6 months;
- You have the opportunity to make real impact: your work directly informs formulation decisions in commercial practice;
- You will work cross-functionally with R&D, the lab and production locations;
- You will be working at a socially engaged and environmentally conscious organization.
Does this sound like the right internship for you? Apply now and contribute to real formulation challenges, where you can turn scientific insights into meaningful results.
