The Summer Studentship Programme creates a career experience for high calibre students studying science or related business subjects at undergraduate level. The students spend three months over the summer working on a specific project at one of Plant & Food Research’s 14 sites around the country. The experience allows the students to build a better understanding of how real-world science is undertaken and provides them with insights into how a research organisations and industry work together.

This year’s students will study topics as diverse as intellectual property management, fish reproduction, fruit quality, plant physiology, pest and disease control, and machine learning.

“The summer student programme is a great experience for students wanting to understand more about research and the primary industries,” says Dr Richard Newcomb. “Some of our past students have continued their science career with Plant & Food Research, or moved into roles with our industry partners. We welcome this year’s intake of students, and look forward to seeing what they achieve.”

Students from the University of Auckland, University of Otago, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Waikato, University of Canterbury and Unitec are undertaking studentships over the summer period, at Plant & Food Research’s Mt Albert, Ruakura, Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North, Nelson, Lincoln and Clyde Research Centres.