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Food Scientist or Technologist

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Food scientists research and analyse the chemical, physical and nutritional aspects of food. Food technologists work on the processes of making, improving, preserving and storing food and drink products. These jobs overlap in many cases.

The Work

There are several areas of work.

Research and Development

You could be:

Production Management

You could be:

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

You could be:

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

The starting salaries for food scientist or technologists tend to be around £20,000 to £25,000 a year. After 2-3 years you could expect to earn £30,000 to £40,000. Managers in most specialisms can earn up to £50,000 or more.

Conditions

Workforce Employment Status

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Useful Subjects

Getting In

Most graduates in food science or technology go directly into work in scientific careers or food product management. You might work in food manufacturing or development, for a supermarket chain, in industry or in a government department. You might also work in education, journalism or perhaps trading standards.

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

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Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland
2024
10202
2.3 %
RISE
2029
10441
  United Kingdom
2024
125531
3.3 %
RISE
2029
129675

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What Does it Take?

You need to be:

You should have:

Training

Getting On

More Information

The IFST website has lots of information and case studies on education and careers in food technology.

Video

Courtesy of Abertay TV

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
Tel: 020 7603 6316
E-mail: info@ifst.org
Website: https://www.ifst.org/
Website (2): http://www.ifst.org/lovefoodlovescience
Twitter: @ifstnews
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InstituteofFoodScienceandTechnology/

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Career Sectors

Biology

Chemistry and Materials Science

Food Science and Technology

Mathematics and Statistics

Physics

Science General