Research & Development Placement 2027 in Leeds

Our Unilever Industrial Placement (IP) Programme is designed for students who are completing a year in industry as part of their degree studies.

In the UK, our IP programme is a 12-month development scheme, for which we recruit top-performing undergraduate talent, with fresh ideas who are eager to gain exposure to real-world challenges.

All new joiners are given real responsibility from day one and have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the business. Alongside this, they receive one-to-one mentoring and support to aid their development and help them achieve their goals. These programmes provide a variety of experiences, enabling individuals to learn, grow, develop personally and professionally, build confidence and gain a comprehensive understanding of the business.

What do we look for?

• In R&D, we require a strong technical qualification in a Chemical, Biological or Physical sciences.
• We also accept Data Science, Chemical/Material and Engineering-related disciplines.
• You will grasp the importance of commercial success and be passionate about making an impact, contributing towards a more sustainable brighter future through exciting and forward-thinking innovations.
• With a strong performance culture, challenging goals, and continuous feedback, we will help you to achieve your potential.
• You will thrive by gaining exposure to real business challenges where your energy and fresh thinking will have an impact.
• First‑hand experience- it’s the fastest way to learn.
• Students must have completed the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree by the time they start their placement and be returning to study after their placement.

What could your day-to-day role include (depending on your role)?

• You’ll be undertaking research to gain insight into what consumers want and need and developing the technology and science to bring new innovations to life.
• You’ll be helping to make our brands even healthier, more appealing, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly – improving our products in any way possible.
• Our people have the opportunity to make a big impact every day on a local level, across Europe and the globe.

Some of the R&D areas that you could be allocated to working in include:

• Technical Project Lead in any of our Business Group teams
• Consumer Technical Insights
• Science & Technology

Skills required include:

• Technical Communication
• Agile Delivery
• Data AnalyticsOrganisational Awareness
• Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)

Please note, that at Unilever, we have development programmes, the skills above are skills that would be good to have at the beginning however you will develop them over the course of the 12 months.

Programme details

• Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days required weekly either at the Port Sunlight (Wirral) or Leeds office – depending on where you are based.
• Applications open: Monday 12 October 2026
• Applications close: This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.
• Start date: June 2027

Industrial Placement (IP) Application Process

Please note: you will only progress to the next stage if you are successful in the previous stage.

Stage 1 – Online Application & IP Simulation

Complete an online application form before completing our interactive IP simulation, designed to give you insight into our organisation and the programme you’re applying for. This will prepare you for a series of situational judgement questions based on realistic business scenarios.

Stage 2 – Online Assessments

Complete a numerical reasoning assessment, an online test that measures your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data and verbal Reasoning assessment an online test that measures your ability to understand and evaluate written information.

Stage 3 – Digital Interview

Complete a video interview.

Stage 4 – Virtual Discovery Centre

Attend a virtual discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will include immersive business challenges and interviews.

Stage 5 – In-Person Discovery Centre

Invited to attend an in-person half-day discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will give you the opportunity to visit a Unilever office, meet and interview with business leaders, and work on function-related business challenges.

What Can Unilever offer YOU?

• A competitive Salary of £27,898.00
• Subsidised Gym Memberships - availability varies by site
• End of Placement Bonus
• Discounted Staff Shop
• Opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.
• 28 days (pro rata) of holiday inclusive of bank holidays. Once you have completed 12 worked weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulation your holiday entitlement will increase to 33 days inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for the term of this placement.
• Opportunity to join one of our Future Careers Development Teams such as Outreach, Digi, Community & Wellbeing and many more! By joining a team, you can grow business-critical skills, develop Unilever Behaviours, and make a meaningful contribution to Future Careers.
• A dedicated buddy to help you onboard and learn about the business.
• An experienced Line Manager to develop your knowledge and understanding across the year.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Unilever, diversity is about embracing differences, championing inclusion, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. Join our vibrant and inclusive workplace that champions inclusion.

We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

We are a key advocate of well-being and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes, and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Do you require any adjustments in the application or assessment process?

If you have any questions about your application, require reasonable adjustments to complete any part of the application process or wish to discuss any mitigating circumstances, please contact the Talent Acquisition team using the following details. If adjustments are required, the team will reach out to discuss available accessibility options. E.g., If required extending time spent in any ‘timebound’ assessments/interviews.

We also provide accessibility options such as magnifying glass, decrease/increase font size, change font & colour, screen ruler, screen mask for everyone who would require support.

futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com.

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