HIVE: Ecosystems, Digital and Data Internship

Are you ready to kick-start your career at one of the world’s most iconic companies?  

At Unilever, we’re not just about creating products – we’re about building dreams, opportunities, and innovations. With over 400 brands like Dove, Knorr, and Lipton, we’re committed to making sustainable living commonplace.  

HIVE is Unilever’s Foods Innovation Centre and home to the product innovations of some of the world's favorite food brands like Knorr and Hellmann's. Want to get an idea of what’s cooking in Hive?  

Go check more information here: https://hive.unilever.com/ 

At Hive, our Mantra is that ‘’If you think you can do it alone, you are not thinking big enough’’. With this open innovation mindset we are looking to tackle the R&D challenges that we face, bringing the outside in and leveraging our extensive ecosystem of like-mined partners on the Wageningen Campus and beyond.

This is more than just an internship; it’s a chance to learn, grow, and leave your mark at one of the largest FMCG companies on the planet.  

What makes this internship exciting? 

As an intern in the Ecosystems, Digital and Data team, your ideas will drive impact, and your creativity will take center stage.  

You will be uniquely placed in a global team that aims to bring the outside in by bringing partners on board to tackle our R&D challenges. The team works for the entire Foods R&D organization; meaning it touches on all our delicious food products and brands that reach consumers globally on a daily basis.

The team will provide you with a project that will let you build an internal and external network of project leaders, researchers and external R&D partners. You will develop business awareness in a technical R&D context, perform required research (using available AI tools and open source information), document findings consistently and share them back to stakeholders in an easy to consume manner (e.g. using simple BI dashboards). You will have the opportunity to influence the setup and the execution of the research project and demonstrate creativity and initiative-taking skills.

 
This isn’t just about learning – it’s about leading! Here’s what your journey will look like: 

• You will be onboarded in Unilever, Foods R&D and the team. With help of the team, you will draft a research plan on how to tackle the project. Your own initiative, experiences and ideas are highly appreciated;
• You will research, analyze, and document on the provided assignment; 
• Conduct in- (and potentially external) stakeholder interviews to gather insights.;
• To reflect on our ways of working and provide actionable recommendations based on your findings to step up our impact. 
• And if you see areas where we can do better, or if there is something additional you wish to pick up, there is always room to explore!

You’re the perfect fit if:

• Available for 5–6 months starting 25 August or 1 September 2025 (min. 32 hrs/week).
• Enrolled in a 3rd or 4th year Bachelor’s or Master’s in a relevant field (e.g. Innovation, Business, Food Technology/Management).
• Highly independent and proactive, able to plan your own work, take initiative, and seek input when needed.
• Strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills, using open/public sources (incl. AI tools).
• Able to collect, structure and clearly present complex data to different stakeholders.
• Agile and adaptable, comfortable with changing priorities.
• Strong communication skills, fluent in spoken and written English; able to manage stakeholder expectations professionally.
• Good business awareness, understanding differences between corporates and startups.
• Solid attention to detail.
• Digitally skilled: MS Office proficient; basic Power BI knowledge (or willingness to upskill); comfortable using GenAI tools (e.g. Copilot).
• Comfortable working with internal experts and external partners.
• Strong business integrity mindset.

Why you’ll love working with us? 

We know internships are all about growth and exploration – and we’ve got you covered.  

• A €625 gross/month allowance. 
• Travel reimbursement (if you don’t have a student travel card). 
• Fun and engaging intern programs – onboarding, events, and activities with fellow interns. 
• Access to extensive training programs for personal and professional growth. 
• A flexible working environment tailored to your success. 
• A behind-the-scenes experience at one of the world’s largest and most innovative FMCG companies. 

Application Process 

• Click "Apply now" and upload your CV and motivation letter. Don't forget to complete the questionnaire we send you. It's your chance to shine! 
• Our team will carefully review your application. We receive a lot of applications, so please bear with us as we give each one the attention it deserves. 
• If we think you might be a great fit, we'll schedule a friendly phone call to get to know you better and hear about your motivations. 
• We'll present your profile to the manager. If they’re impressed, you'll be invited for an interview to discuss the opportunity further. 
• After the interview, the manager will provide feedback on your performance. If you are selected, you'll receive an offer letter with all the exciting details about your internship. 
• Once you accept the offer, we'll guide you through the onboarding process, including any necessary paperwork, training sessions, and introductions to your awesome team. 
• You'll kick off your internship, get integrated into the team, and start working on your cool projects and responsibilities.