Food scientist
Food scientists and food technologists develop food and drink products, making sure they are safe to consume.
Also known as: Food technologist
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£45,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 45 a week
What you'll do
As a food scientist, you'll:
- develop new recipes and improve existing products
- provide accurate nutritional information for food labelling
- test samples to make sure they meet safety and quality standards
- design production processes to be more efficient
- research different ways to combine ingredients, textures and flavours
- investigate and fix problems, like customer complaints or quality issues
Working environment
You could work at a research facility, in a laboratory or in a factory.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of food production methods
- Knowledge of chemistry
- knowledge of biology
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- analytical thinking skills
- maths knowledge
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a food scientist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- food science and technology
- food and nutritional science
- food technology and product development
You may be able to study for a postgraduate qualification in food science if you have a related first degree, such as:
- biochemistry
- microbiology
- agricultural science
You can search for degree and postgraduate courses accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Experience of working in a food science or food development environment, for example through an industrial placement during your course, may improve your career prospects.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:
- Food Technologist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Food Industry Technical Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
These take between 2 and 4 years to complete, and are a mix of on-the-job training and classroom study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a food technologist, development assistant or lab technician with a food manufacturer. You would then study for relevant qualifications while you work.
Career path and progression
You could work for a variety of organisations involved in the development and safety of food and drink products, including:
- food manufacturers and supermarkets
- government and university research establishments
- local authorities
With experience, you could become a senior development technologist or scientist, project leader or departmental manager.
You might improve your career prospects by applying for Registered Scientist (RSci) or Chartered Scientist (CSci) status through the Institute of Food Science and Technology.
You could also move into related areas, like agricultural research, toxicology or nutritional science.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Institute of Food Science and Technology for professional development opportunities, industry news and access to career resources.
Guides for this industry
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