As a global key player in yeasts and fermentation, Lesaffre designs, manufactures and markets innovative solutions for Baking, Food taste & pleasure, Health care and Biotechnology.

Family group born in northern France in 1853, now a multi-national and a multicultural company, Lesaffre is committed to working with confidence to better nourish and protect the planet.
In close collaboration with its clients and partners, Lesaffre employs 11 000 people in more than 50 countries.

Lesaffre achieves a turnover of 3 billion euros.

Agrauxine, a business unit of Lesaffre, develops, produces and markets biosolutions derived from microorganisms to improve plant health with sustainable agriculture biotechnologies.

This internship will be carried out between two research entities (i) Lesaffre Institute of Science and Technology (Hosted in the Nutrition, Microbiota and Health Center of Excellence) and (ii) the Business Unit Agrauxine. Your role will consist in developing one or more in vitro elicitation screening test(s), i.e. bioassay to evaluate plant cell defense stimulation.

The first step will be to review the literature and provide a qualitative assessment of existing assay(s). Next you will propose a selection of model(s) and associated readouts to be implemented in-house. This first step will be carried out at Agrauxine's premises in Beaucouzé (49). The second step will focus on the implementation of the most appropriate plant model(s) in the laboratory of Lesaffre Institute of Science and Technology (Lesaffre Campus, Marcq-en-Baroeul, 59).                                                                               

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with experts in plant pathology and cell biology to understand the research context and gather relevant publications to complete/finalize the literature review initiated by Agrauxine and streamline laboratory effort
• Propose an experimental strategy (study model and readouts) with associated timeline
• Set up and report the plant cell model implemented and associated results
• Coordinate interaction between supervisors at Agrauxine and Lesaffre Campus
• If time allows : conduct proof-of-concept validation assays for the various elicitation tests

• Undergraduate candidate in cell biology, or a related field (only M2 or Last year Engineering student will be considered)
• Familiarity with plant physiology and pathology or imaging technologies
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• First experience in wet lab with cell culture is a plus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Curiosity and team spirit
• Good command in English

The position is open for a period of 6 months starting in March 2026.

What can Lesaffre offer you ?

• Join a family business rich in a long history with human-oriented values with a mission: To Nourish and Protect our Planet, 
• Evolve in an enriching work environment and a multicultural context 

 At Lesaffre, diversity is a strength that enriches our culture and our teams. We are committed to offering you a work environment where you can thrive, regardless of your background, gender, age or abilities. We encourage all applications, as we believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to innovate and meet the challenges of tomorrow.