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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Food and Feed team to develop innovative food processes and support exciting projects.
- Company: CPI is a leading organisation turning great ideas into reality through science and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 36 days holiday, flexible working, and generous pension schemes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability and health while gaining hands-on experience.
- Qualifications: Studying Biological Sciences or related fields with knowledge in microbial cultivation.
- Other info: Fixed term role for 12 months starting July 2026, UK university students only.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
About CPI
CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability. Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products. From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.
Why this role is important for CPI’s work
This is a fantastic opportunity to join CPI as a Placement Student within our Food and Feed team. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment to develop precision fermentation and biomass fermentation processes aimed at producing novel foods and functional ingredients. Your contribution will support the delivery of innovative projects through preparation, research, testing, and analysis, ensuring smooth laboratory operations and enabling scientific staff to focus on technical delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development of scalable microbial and cell culture food processes from shake flask to 10,000‑litre bioreactor scale, including submerged and solid‑state processes.
- Assist in process development and scale‑up of bioproduct recovery and purification operations.
- Set up, operate, and monitor microbial fermentation processes under batch, fed‑batch, and continuous conditions.
- Maintain bioreactors and eradicate issues impacting performance.
- Contribute to experimental design (DOE) to study variable effects on fermentation performance.
- Ensure compliance with Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE), GMP, Data Integrity, and quality standards.
- Perform general laboratory housekeeping and manage purchasing of chemicals and equipment.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to understand project needs and deliver agreed outcomes.
The person we are seeking
- Studying towards a degree in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- Knowledgeable in microbial cultivation and fermentation, with good analytical and numerical skills.
- Experienced in IT packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- A strong communicator who values collaboration and continuous learning.
Desirable
- Experience with aseptic techniques, bioreactor operation, microscopy, and preparation of microbial growth media.
What does CPI offer you?
At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:
- Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
- Generous pension scheme
- Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
- Flexible working
- Learning and Development Opportunities
- Free parking
Additional Information
Please note that this role is fixed term for 12 months, beginning in July 2026. Students must be studying at a UK university to be eligible for this role, and CPI cannot offer sponsorship for this role. CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.
Placement Student – Food and Feed in Redcar employer: CPI
Contact Detail:
CPI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Placement Student – Food and Feed in Redcar
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your university's alumni or industry professionals on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights into the placement process at CPI.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to fermentation processes and teamwork. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for sustainability and innovation in your conversations. At CPI, they love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in food and feed technology.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the CPI team.
We think you need these skills to ace Placement Student – Food and Feed in Redcar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Placement Student role. Highlight any relevant experience in biological sciences or fermentation processes, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills. We want to see how you can contribute to our Food and Feed team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food and feed innovation and how your studies align with our mission at CPI. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Team Spirit: Collaboration is key at CPI, so make sure to mention any group projects or teamwork experiences in your application. We’re looking for someone who values working together to tackle challenges, just like we do!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our innovative team at CPI.
How to prepare for a job interview at CPI
✨Know Your Science
Brush up on your knowledge of microbial cultivation and fermentation processes. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've learned during your studies, especially those related to bioreactor operation and aseptic techniques. This will show that you’re not just a student but someone who can contribute meaningfully to the team.
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical and numerical skills during the interview. You might be asked to solve a problem or analyse data on the spot, so practice explaining your thought process clearly. This will highlight your ability to contribute to experimental design and process development.
✨Communicate Effectively
CPI values collaboration, so be sure to showcase your communication skills. Think of examples where you’ve worked in teams or liaised with others to achieve a goal. This will help illustrate that you’re a strong communicator who can thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.
✨Understand the Company’s Impact
Familiarise yourself with CPI's mission and recent projects, especially those related to food and feed innovations. Being able to discuss how your role as a Placement Student fits into their broader goals will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its impact on sustainability and healthcare.
