PepsiCo
Research & Development Industrial Placement - Consumer Science 2027
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Overview
You’ve learned a lot as a student already. Want to put it into practice at PepsiCo?
Our placement programmes are structured to give you the chance to make an impact on some of the world’s biggest brands. From day one, you’ll be working on projects that matter. You will shake things up, shape trends, and get guidance and development to help you discover your potential.
We are looking for enthusiastic undergraduates to join our R&D teams on a 12-month placement programme starting in July 2027 on a full-time basis.
Innovation takes centre stage at PepsiCo! That means our Global R&D team are at the heart of the action and are kept busy creating the products of the future, for our global consumers. In a fast-paced consumer environment, our research and development capability is crucial to provide a fresh twist to our favourite brands as well as creating new to the world healthy choices that we need to succeed in the market. Our research and development focusses on building a consumer-centric understanding, enabling us to design products for the latest consumer needs - whether nutrition, refreshment, or indulgence – driving our growth both now and in the future.
You’ll have lots of autonomy where your decisions will really make a difference to our business and in return, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills and experience in a fast paced, energetic environment.
Overview of the role
The Consumer Science team supports a broad range of Foods and Beverages research projects across Europe, generating insights from multiple consumer and sensory data sources to place the consumer at the heart of PepsiCo's growth strategy. Using leading scientific research methods, the team guides PepsiCo at every stage of the product development journey; from front-end innovation through product optimisation and post-launch evaluation. Putting the consumer at the heart of everything we do is key for PepsiCo’s and Consumer Science play a vitally important role in this mission to put smiles on consumers faces every day.
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Responsibilities
What you will be doing:
- Rotate across different areas of Consumer Science, building a diverse understanding of human-centric product development and the role of consumer science throughout the innovation journey.
- Support the delivery of consumer and sensory research studies which shapes the PepsiCo’s product portfolio, from test set-up through to data collection and reporting.
- Gain hands-on experience with a range of sensory evaluation and consumer research methods used globally.
- Work with consumer, sensory, and market data to help identify trends, patterns, and learning opportunities to support PepsiCo innovation.
- Contribute to the analysis and visualization of research data, helping to identify key trends, insights, and opportunities.
- Collaborate with R&D Product Development and Insights to understand how different functions work together to create consumer-centric products.
- Contribute to presentations and communications that bring consumer learning to life for stakeholders.
Qualifications
What we are looking for:
- Studying towards a degree in Psychology, Consumer Science, Food Science, Sensory Science, Statistics, or a related scientific discipline.
- Strong analytical mindset with an interest in consumer behaviour, sensory evaluation, and insight generation.
- Basic understanding of research methods, experimental design, and data analysis gained through university studies.
- Strong and broad range of digital skills.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to present findings clearly and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Proactive, curious, and well-organized, with a willingness to learn and contribute in a fast-paced R&D environment.
What else do you need to know?
Our placements start in July 2027 on a full-time basis and will last for 12 months. The salary is £26,600.
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Other benefits:
- Vibrant culture
- Development and mentoring
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays, birthday leave
- Discounted PepsiCo products
- Competitive pension scheme
- Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits: Virtual GP: available to you and your family 24/7,
- Discounted gym membership, SWORD; online free digital physiotherapy service
Our application process involves:
- Online application
- One way video interview sent to you by Talent Acquisition team: September- October 2026
- Virtual Assessment Centre November- December 2026 (subject to change)
- Application Closing Date: 20th October 2026
Our application window is scheduled to close on the above date, however, in the event of a large response we will close applications early. We would therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.
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