LIC’s Research and Development (R&D) group is driving innovation to keep New Zealand farmers and their businesses at the forefront of the global dairy industry. Our world-class team is actively engaged in cutting-edge work across genetics, genomics, reproduction, animal health, statistics, and machine learning.

In partnership with Callaghan Innovation, we’re offering summer internships that provide hands-on experience across a diverse range of scientific and technical areas—from genetic analysis to data science and modelling—leveraging both in-house and cloud-based computing platforms.

We are offering eight different projects this year:

1. Comparative Genomic Analysis of Staphylococcus epidermidis from New Zealand Bovine Mastitis Isolates and Overseas Isolates
2. Construction and analysis of pangenome graphs for de novo structural variant discovery.
3. Evaluation of heat tolerant cows carrying the slick genetic variant
4. Development and application of an OMIA-based variant screening tool
5. Embryo Programme Analysis: Efficiency, Metrics, and Strategic Benefit
6. Impact of Genetic Diversity in LIC’s Breeding Schemes
7. Improving Calving Ease in Holstein Friesians: Balancing Suitability for Yearling Matings with Breed Integrity
8. Automated Data Product Provisioning with Built-in Data Quality & Monitoring

To be eligible for these internships students must:

• Studying, or has recently completed, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or qualification at NZQA level 6-10. If the study has been completed, the closing date of their final semester should be less than 12 months ago.
• Studying, or has studied, science, technology, engineering, design or business at a New Zealand tertiary education institute.
• Legally permitted to work in New Zealand.
• Has not been previously employed at the business, unless part-time or temporary.
• Has not undertaken more than two R&D Experience Grant internships with the same business.
• Be able to work on-site at our Head Office in Newstead Hamilton for the duration of the internship

When you apply you will have the option to select which projects interest you most and align with your study & experience.  

Please attach an up-to-date CV and your academic transcript with your application.

You can find more information about all of the projects below: 

Summer Internships - Project Overviews  

Please ensure you have read the skills required for each project to ensure your skills match the requirements, before applying.  

The internship is a paid opportunity offering $28.95 per hour for a period of 10 weeks (up to 400 hours) and you will be required to do a presentation and submit a report at the end.

Applications close:     14th September 2025 or earlier if the roles are filled.