Sensory Science Summer Internship - Decatur, IL

Launch your career with ADM’s Summer Internship Program!  
Enjoy a rewarding 12-week experience at one of ADM's North American locations with an opportunity to learn on the job skills through collaboration with your colleagues, focusing on business deliverables and meaningful, real-world project work. 
ADM offers competitive pay during your full-time (40-hour/week) internship, including fully-furnished housing and transportation assistance (mileage reimbursement) as needed based on your assigned location and distance from home — all designed to support a seamless transition. 

A few highlights about ADM: 

• We have an award-winning early career program! ADM is proud to be a 2025 recipient of Handshake’s Early Career Talent award as well as the Ripplematch Campus Forward Award! 
• ADM was named one of America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek. 
• 2025 Innovation Award for ADM’s Regenerative Agriculture Program. 
• U.S. Newsweek America’s Greatest Workplaces in Manufacturing Best Companies to Work For in 2025. 

Internship Program Requirements:  

• Educational Background: Pursuing a four-year degree with an expected graduation between December 2026 and Summer 2028. Must have an overall 2.8GPA (change if you need to) 
• Transportation: Interns must have their own reliable transportation to and from work.  
• Geographical Flexibility: Willing to relocate to one of our ADM locations in North America.  
• Background Check: Successful completion of a background check is required.  
• Availability: Must be available for a summer internship from mid-May to early August 2026.  
• Work visa sponsorship is not available for this role 

Professional Development and Benefits during your internship:  

• Enhance your skills with unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning courses, language training, and mentoring programs.  
• Access to a variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that foster connection, support, and professional growth across a variety of communities. 
• Throughout your internship, you’ll also have access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering personal support and resources to help you grow both professionally and personally. 
• Personalized professional development sessions geared toward career development, social digital footprint, and the importance of your personal brand. 
• Based on business needs, interns showing high potential may be offered a return internship or a full-time position. 

Position Summary:

At ADM, the sensory scientist plays a critical role in providing data and insights based on human perception.   This is often the final hurdle of any innovation, product change, or production before becoming available to our customers.  Our R&D sensory scientists add value to projects by using descriptive analysis and discrimination testing.
We are looking for students who have a desire to learn and who can quickly build relationships.  As a Sensory Science intern, you will be a part of a collaborative team that supports projects ranging from innovation to productivity.  The team will guide you through our learn-on-the-job environment as you develop the ability to apply new skills and gain experience for your future career.  Our Internships are 10-12 weeks in duration during the summer. These are paid positions that include fully furnished, company-paid housing. Standard costs are reimbursed for relocating to and from the assigned location.

Key components of the internship include:

• Principles of best practices   
• Developing lexicons and reference standards    
• Application of sensory methods, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, and consumer testing
• Interpretation of results and communication of insights

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled at an accredited University for the duration of the internship, pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science or Consumer and Sensory Science
• GPA of 2.5 or greater is preferred
• Have completed a Sensory 101 course; additional sensory courses are beneficial
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Has adequate transportation that allows you to go to and from your internship
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and must not require sponsorship for employment visa status now, or in the future
• ADM requires the successful completion of our pre-employment process, which may include a background check, medical history questionnaire and other job-related functional evaluations.

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

$21 -$24 based on year of school

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM’s efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments — environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our industry, as we strive to ensure our workforce represents the world that we help to feed: people of color, women, gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities. For more information regarding our efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, please visit our website here: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | ADM.

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.