R&D Intern - Summer 2027 (Chicago)
Posted Aug 12, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
You may run benchtop and pilot plant experiments. Tell me about a lab experiment you designed and what you learned.
What they are checking: Whether they understand experimental design, controls and drawing honest conclusions.
Tell me about a time you managed one main project alongside smaller tasks.
What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize, given the posting's one primary project plus other work.
Which Conagra brand would you most like to work on, and what would you want to improve?
What they are checking: Whether they have genuine curiosity about the products and a thoughtful idea.
Tell me about a time you had to ask for help on something you did not understand.
What they are checking: Whether they seek guidance at the right time instead of guessing or stalling.
What would you do
You'll prepare written reports for commercialization. How do you write up results so non-scientists can act on them?
What they are checking: Whether they can communicate findings clearly with a recommendation, not just raw data.
Your experiment results contradict what your mentor expected. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they double-check their work and share honest results respectfully.
About the work
If you were asked to reformulate a product to cut cost without hurting quality, how would you start?
What they are checking: Whether they think about ingredient functions, consumer testing and keeping the product recognizable.
How does a recipe that works in the lab change when it moves to a pilot plant or full production?
What they are checking: Whether they understand scale-up challenges like heat transfer, mixing and processing time.
What food science or chemistry concept from your coursework do you think matters most in product development?
What they are checking: Whether they can connect classroom knowledge to real product problems.
What food safety practices would you follow in a pilot plant?
What they are checking: Awareness of GMPs, allergen handling and sanitation in a food environment.
Practice this interview out loud.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Conagra Brands.