Our placement programmes are structured to give you the chance to make an impact on some of the world’s biggest brands. From day one, you’ll be working on projects that matter. You will shake things up, shape trends, and get guidance and development to help you discover your potential.

We are looking for enthusiastic undergraduates to join our R&D teams on a 12-month placement programme starting in July 2027 on a full-time basis.

Innovation takes centre stage at PepsiCo! That means our Global R&D team are at the heart of the action and are kept busy creating the products of the future, for our global consumers. In a fast-paced consumer environment, our research and development capability is crucial to provide a fresh twist to our favourite brands as well as creating new to the world healthy choices that we need to succeed in the market. Our research and development focusses on building a consumer-centric understanding, enabling us to design products for the latest consumer needs - whether nutrition, refreshment, or indulgence – driving our growth both now and in the future.

You’ll have lots of autonomy where your decisions will really make a difference to our business and in return, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills and experience in a fast paced, energetic environment.

Overview of the role:

The Gatorade Sports Science Institute is responsible for service and education engagements in Europe, as well as informing global programs. We work closely with the International Beverages team responsible for the Gatorade business, to add value to the brand partnerships and ensure that all Gatorade products and innovations are “backed by science”. Key partners include F1, UEFA, professional football clubs and elite cycling teams.

Responsibilities:

What will you be doing?

Lead the development of bespoke educational materials
Support service testing of in elite sports environments
Translate sports nutrition recommendations to functional cuisine
Interpret data and generate athlete facing reports on experimental results
Lead and organise international GSSI calls and meetings
Learn new research and critical thinking skills with the opportunity to attend an international conference and potentially present abstract for presentation

Qualifications:

What we are looking for:

Following path to a degree level qualification in Sport and Exercise Science
Strong and broad range of digital skills
Competent knowledge and highly computer literate
Solid fundamental scientific understanding of exercise physiology, sports psychology and or related subjects
Strong creative and analytical skills to translate scientific information into easy to digest information
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a diverse audience
High degree of self-motivation combined with good organisational skills
Initiative and drive to deliver results of trials and activities and able to be pro-active and multi-task
Concise and persuasive communicator with first class written and verbal presentation skills, especially to non-technical audiences

What else do you need to know?

Our placements start in July 2027 on a full-time basis and will last for 12 months. The salary is £26,600.

Other benefits:

Vibrant culture
Development and mentoring
25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays, birthday leave
Discounted PepsiCo products
Competitive pension scheme
Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits: Virtual GP: available to you and your family 24/7
Discounted gym membership, SWORD; online free digital physiotherapy service

Our application process involves:

Online application
One way video interview sent to you by Talent Acquisition team: September - October 2026
Virtual Assessment Centre November- December 2026 (subject to change)

Application Closing Date: 20th October 2026

Our application window is scheduled to close on the above date, however, in the event of a large response we will close applications early. We would therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.