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Industrial Placement in Research and Development

As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job description below carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered.

Your Future Employer

Unilever is one of the world's leading FMCG companies, home to iconic brands including Dove, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Lynx, Persil, Domestos, Surf, Radox, Sure and Liquid I.V. Through products used by millions of people every day, we help improve health, wellbeing, confidence and care around the world.  

Established over 100 years ago, Unilever has a proud heritage of innovation and a long-standing belief that great brands, great people and responsible business go hand in hand.  

Today, we are transforming into a faster, more focused growth company centred on Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care and Home Care. Through world-class brands, cutting-edge science and technology, digital innovation and AI-enabled capabilities, we are building unmissably superior products and experiences for consumers around the world.  

A career at Unilever offers the opportunity to work at global scale while helping shape the future of some of the world's most recognised brands. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, bringing curiosity, creativity and passion to solve real business challenges and make a meaningful impact every day. 

What do we look for?

In R&D, we require a strong technical qualification in a Chemical, Biological or Physical sciences.  We also accept Data Science, Chemical/Material and Engineering-related disciplines. You will grasp the importance of commercial success and be passionate about making an impact, contributing towards a more sustainable brighter future through exciting and forward-thinking innovations.  

With a strong performance culture, challenging goals, and continuous feedback, we will help you to achieve your potential. You will thrive by gaining exposure to real business challenges where your energy and fresh thinking will have an impact. First-hand experience- it’s the fastest way to learn.  

Students must have completed the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree by the time they start their placement and be returning to study after their placement.  

What could your day-to-day-role look like?

You’ll be undertaking research to gain insight into what consumers want and need and developing the technology and science to bring new innovations to life. You’ll be helping to make our brands even healthier, more appealing, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly – improving our products in any way possible. Our people have the opportunity to make a big impact every day on a local level, across Europe and the globe.  

Some of the R&D areas that you could be allocated to working in include:

  • Technical Project Lead in any of our Business Group teams 
  • Consumer Technical Insights  
  • Science & Technology  

Skills required include:

  • Technical Communication 
  • Agile Delivery  
  • Data Analytics 
  • Organisational Awareness  
  • Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) 

Please note, that at Unilever, we have development programmes, the skills above are skills that would be good to have at the beginning however you will develop them over the course of the 12 months. 

What Can Unilever offer YOU?

  • A competitive Salary of £27,898.00

  • Subsidised Gym Memberships - availability varies by site.

  • End of Placement Bonus .

  • Discounted Staff Shop.

  • Opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment. 

  • 28 days (pro rata) of holiday inclusive of bank holidays. Once you have completed 12 worked weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulation your holiday entitlement will increase to 33 days inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for the term of this placement.

  • Opportunity to join one of our Future Careers Development Teams such as Outreach, Digi, Community & Wellbeing and many more! By joining a team, you can grow business-critical skills, develop Unilever Behaviours, and make a meaningful contribution to Future Careers.

  • A dedicated buddy to help you onboard and learn about the business.  

  • An experienced Line Manager to develop your knowledge and understanding across the year.   

Industrial Placement (IP) Application Process  

Please note: you will only progress to the next stage if you are successful in the previous stage. 

  • Stage 1 – Online Application & IP Simulation

    Complete an online application form before completing our interactive IP simulation, designed to give you insight into our organisation and the programme you’re applying for. This will prepare you for a series of situational judgement questions based on realistic business scenarios. 

    1
  • Stage 2 – Online Assessments.  

    Complete a numerical reasoning assessment, an online test that measures your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data and verbal Reasoning assessment an online test that measures your ability to understand and evaluate written information.  

    2
  • Stage 3 – Digital Interview  

    Complete a video interview.  

    3
  • Stage 4 – Virtual Discovery Centre  

    Attend a virtual discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will include immersive business challenges and interviews.  
    4

  • Stage 5 – In-Person Discovery Centre  

    Invited to attend an in-person half-day discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will give you the opportunity to visit a Unilever office, meet and interview with business leaders, and work on function-related business challenges. 
    4

Programme details

Location:    

Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days required weekly either at the Port Sunlight (Wirral) or Colworth office – depending on where you are based. 

Applications open:  

Monday 12 October 2026 

Applications close:  

This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.   

Start date: 

 June 2027 

Recruitment Fraud

Cyber criminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs.  These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate.

How is Unilever tackling this?

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down.     

What can I do?     

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.      

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key! 

To find out more about Future Careers at Unilever UK...

Check out our Instagram page!

@unilevercareersuk

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