Research & Development Industrial Placement - Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Overview

You’ve learned a lot as a student already. Want to put it into practice at Pepsi Co?

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 Pepsi Co! 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 Gatorade Sports Science Institute is responsible for service and education engagements in Europe, as well as informing global programs. We work closely with the International Beverages team responsible for the Gatorade business, to add value to the brand partnerships and ensure that all Gatorade products and innovations are “backed by science”. Key partners include F1, UEFA, professional football clubs and elite cycling teams.

What will you be doing?

• Lead the development of bespoke educational materials
• Support service testing of in elite sports environments
• Translate sports nutrition recommendations to functional cuisine
• Interpret data and generate athlete facing reports on experimental results
• Lead and organise international GSSI calls and meetings
• Learn new research and critical thinking skills with the opportunity to attend an international conference and potentially present abstract for presentation

What we are looking for:

• Following path to a degree level qualification in Sport and Exercise Science
• Strong and broad range of digital skills
• Competent knowledge and highly computer literate
• Solid fundamental scientific understanding of exercise physiology, sports psychology and or related subjects
• Strong creative and analytical skills to translate scientific information into easy to digest information
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a diverse audience
• High degree of self-motivation combined with good organisational skills
• Initiative and drive to deliver results of trials and activities and able to be pro-active and multi-task
• Concise and persuasive communicator with first class written and verbal presentation skills, especially to non-technical audiences

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.

Other benefits:

• Vibrant culture
• Development and mentoring
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays, birthday leave
• Discounted Pepsi Co 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

About Pepsi Co

Pepsi Co products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and…