Food Scientists

Career summary

#closest match is 2641 ag scientists

Food scientists work in many different industries such as:

• Food manufacturing companies
• Colleges and universities
• Federal, state, and local governments

The work of food scientists varies depending on their specialty area. Some food scientists engage in research to discover new food sources and products. They analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, or protein.

Food scientists also study methods to improve the quality of foods. For example, they might look for ways to improve flavor, color, texture, or nutritional content.

In addition, food scientists develop methods to process, preserve, package, or store food. New methods must meet government rules and industry standards.

Food scientists who work in product development apply the findings of food science research. For example, they test new products in test kitchens. They confer with specialists to resolve problems with products. For example, they might consult flavor experts or process engineers.

In government jobs, food scientists develop food quality standards and safety and health regulations. Some food scientists enforce government regulations by inspecting food processing areas.

All food scientists keep records of their research and write reports of their findings.

Related careers

This career is part of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Agricultural Inspectors
• Agricultural Scientists
• Animal Scientists
• Bioengineers
• Biologists
• Chemists
• Science Technicians
• Wine Makers

Military careers

• Life Scientists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to food scientists.

• Conduct research on new food sources and products.
• Analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and protein.
• Search for substitutes for harmful additives. Check raw ingredients for stability.
• Study methods to improve quality of foods, such as flavor, color, and texture.
• Develop methods to process, preserve, package, or store food according to regulations.
• Test new products in test kitchens and in food processing plants.
• Confer with engineers, flavor experts, and marketing specialists to resolve problems.
• Develop standards for food quality, safety, and waste control.
• Enforce government standards by inspecting food processing areas.
• Keep records of research and write reports.

Common work activities

Food scientists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Evaluate information against standards
• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Analyze data or information
• Use computers
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Document and record information
• Process information
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Think creatively
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Develop and build teams
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Schedule work and activities
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Teach others
• Monitor and control resources
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Coach others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, food scientists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social contact.
• Communicate by phone, e-mail, and in person on a daily basis. They also write letters and memos, but less often.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by assistants.
• Usually work as part of a research team.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Often wear safety attire, such as gloves or lab coats.
• Occasionally are exposed to loud or distracting sounds and noise levels.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and be sure all details are done. Errors or omissions could corrupt research findings.
• Occasionally make decisions that affect others. They sometimes consult a supervisor before deciding a course of action, but often act independently.
• Repeat the same mental and physical activities.
• Work in a competitive atmosphere where weekly deadlines must be met.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to someone first.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week.
• Travel to visit food processing plants when enforcing government regulations.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Food scientists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for food scientists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for food scientists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.

Skills and abilities

Food scientists need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.

Work with things

• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Dairy Science
• Food Science
• Viticulture and Enology

Other programs of study to consider

• Agriculture, General
• Culinary Arts
• Dietetics

Training

To work as a food scientist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have at least a bachelor's degree in agriculture or food science.

Education after high school

You need a bachelor's degree in agricultural or food science for a job in applied research. In a food science program, you study food chemistry, food analysis, and food processing. A degree in a related science, such as biology or chemistry, also prepares you for jobs in food science.

You need a doctoral degree (PhD) to lead research projects or teach at a college or university. To complete a doctoral degree, you take more courses, do fieldwork, and do your own lab research. The general trend is for food scientists to have a PhD.

All states have land-grant colleges that offer agricultural and food science programs. Many other colleges and universities offer similar programs.

Military training

The military does not provide initial training in this field. However, the military may provide work experience to food scientists who have a master's degree or higher.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Culinary Arts
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Food and Nutrition

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Entry-level positions for food scientists require a bachelor's degree. In these positions, beginning food scientists assist other scientists as they conduct basic research. Most employers require at least a master's degree for food scientists who will lead research projects. However, some companies will allow those who have only a bachelor's degree to lead research. In contrast, some employers prefer to hire researchers who have a doctoral degree (PhD). Employers also look for applicants who can speak and write clearly.

Colleges and universities require teaching faculty to have a PhD. Universities choose candidates based on their area of research and the quality of their published articles.

Costs to workers

Workers who join a professional association may pay a membership fee and annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Food Scientists and Technologists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. Wages also vary by the scientist's level of education and experience.

Benefits also vary by employer. Most full-time food scientists receive benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings. 

National employment

Major employers:

• Food manufacturing
• Research and testing services
• Colleges and universities
• Federal government agencies

National outlook

Job growth for this occupation is expected to as fast as average. Demand for this occupation is driven by demand for new food products and increased food safety. Most growth in this occupation will be in the private sector as companies develop new food products. Competition may be strong for college teaching jobs, even for scientists with doctoral degrees.

Job openings will occur as many people are expected to retire from this occupation in the next ten years. In general, food scientists who have advanced degrees will have the best job prospects.

Other resources

AgCareers.com 
Western USA Office
866.519.7445

Agriculture Council of America 
11020 King Street, Suite 205
Overland Park, KS 66210
913.491.1895

American Association of Cereal Chemists International 
3340 Pilot Knob Road
St. Paul, MN 55121
651.454.7250

American Chemical Society 
1155 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.227.5558

American Institute of Biological Sciences 
1800 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 400
Reston, VA 20191
703.674.2500

American Oil Chemists Society 
PO Box 17190
Urbana, IL 61803-7190
217.359.2344

Council for Agricultural Science and Technology 
4420 West Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
515.292.2125

Institute of Food Technologists 
525 West Van Buren, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60607
312.782.8424

Learn about Food Science 

National Academy of Sciences Interviews 

North American Meat Institute 
1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
202.587.4200

Science Careers 

Science Meets Food 

Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology 
3929 Old Lee Highway, Suite 92A
Fairfax, VA 22030-2421
703.691.3357

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Food Technologist (041.081-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Conventional

COPSystem

• Science Professional