Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition NA, Inc. is looking for a paid Summer/Fall intern/co-op for 3-6 months between May/June and Nov/Dec 2023! Housing stipend included! Position will remain part-time at 40 hours per week (no overtime) for a maximum of 6 months.

ABOUT US:
At Ajinomoto, we are making significant advances in food and health with new ideas and innovative fermentation technologies. We are seeking candidates with energy and enthusiasm to be part of our growing team. Ajinomoto is recognized as a global leader in the research, development, manufacturing, and sale of amino-acid-based products for the animal health, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, sports nutrition, human health, beauty, food ingredients, and consumer food product industries.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The position will work as a member of the Engineering team at Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition, Inc. production plant in Eddyville, Iowa to advance data science initiatives. The Data Science Co-op will create value by increasing utilization of extensive amounts of plant data and bringing unique insights into process through statistical knowledge and data science practices.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate junior or senior working toward a degree in a field of data science

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be a self-starter, have good organizational skills and like working in a team environment.
• Experience with programming in at least one functional coding language.
• Excellent oral, written and computer communication skills.
• Strong understanding of database management and big data architecture.
• High degree of scientific and technical proficiency.
• Ability to transfer technical knowledge to practical applications.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Fast paced bio-chemical/chemical/dry blending manufacturing environment working both in office & plant settings. This position may perform activities in an environment containing hazardous elements and requiring safety awareness and adherence to all safety policies and guidelines. Work must be performed in a safe manner for personal protection and for the protection of other team members. All safety procedures, procedures described in SOPs, JHAs, and support of the ISO standards in all functional areas must be followed, enforced, and strictly complied with.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sitting or standing, repetitive use of hands and arms, and eye/hand coordination for 6+ hours a day.
• Walking required, usually < 1-2 hours a day.
• Occasional bending, reaching overhead, crouching, balancing, pushing, or pulling.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adheres to systems for planning, scheduling, implementing, verifying, and closing projects.
• Learn then apply basic knowledge of chemical engineering concepts through trainings and collaboration with engineering team.
• Collaborate with IT to provide solutions that pose low or no risk to current cyber security.
• Aggregate and combine plant and business data using custom algorithms and tools.
• Addresses areas of improvement in areas of EH&S, quality, and throughput to be solved using data science strategies.
• Complete exploratory data analyses to troubleshoot and investigate abnormalities in plant data to improve stability.
• Learn and work toward improvements for current database management.
• Leverage plant data to identify opportunities to produce solutions that promote reduced downtime and increased production.
• Develop algorithms that can be used across a variety of datasets.
• Develop and interpret machine learning models the support predictive maintenance, predictive throughput, and other areas as seen fit.
• Run tests and statistical analyses to test models and algorithms for short-term and long-term accuracy.
• Monitor and improve models post-implementation.
• Interpret models and analyses to employees across departments.
• Create visualization tools for data interpretation.
• Assess the viability of data from new and existing data collection sources and recommend changes in data collection techniques.
• Work with engineering team to adjust models based on physical constraints of chemical process.
• Use data mining techniques to identify areas of potential improvement.
• Optimize methods of data acquisition from data bases to data analysis tools.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Employment with Ajinomoto is considered at will, meaning that either party may terminate this employment relationship at any time with or without cause or notice and this job description should not be construed as an employment contract.

Ajinomoto provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Education

• High School or better
• Some college or better