Food Scientist

Think

Everything in food is science. The only subjective part is when you eat it. 

Alton Brown 
Food Scientist

In A Nutshell

I research different aspects of food to help improve it.

I use what I know about chemistry and biology to help make food in better ways.

I write reports and give ideas to companies on how to make their food healthier without making it more expensive.

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Potential Salary Range

$38,000 - 74,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta AB
Alberta
British Columbia BC
British Columbia
Manitoba MB
Manitoba
New Brunswick NB
New Brunswick
Newfoundland & Labrador NL
Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia NS
Nova Scotia
Ontario ON
Ontario
Prince Edward Island PEI
Prince Edward Island
Quebec QC
Quebec
Saskwatchewan SK
Saskwatchewan

My work is divided between the lab and the office. In the lab, I do most of the hands-on research and data collection. In the office, I analyze that data and write reports, which is a much quieter and more focused environment.

Workplace

Indoor

Job Requirements & Duties

  • Do experiments on ingredients or products to test for safety and nutrition
  • Decide which preservation methods work best for different foods based on their chemistry
  • Figure out ways to improve products by enhancing their nutrition, shelf life, or packaging
  • Determine the nutritional value of products for packaging
  • Organize sensory tests to get feedback on flavour and texture
  • Write reports about the results of experiments and suggest how companies should move forward with their production 

Education & Training

  • A university degree in food science, food technology, or a related field is required for this job. A master’s degree can give candidates a valuable advantage.
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Job Outlook

    The outlook for this job is fair. There will be many job openings, but also a lot of competition for those positions.

Related School Subjects

Science
Ed. Prof. et Tech.
Career Education

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Nutrition Chemistry Research Experimenting Food

Important Skills

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Research

As a food scientist, the goal is to conduct research and investigations about food. Having a careful, research-focused mindset is an important part of the job.

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Problem Solving

Sometimes in food science, answers don’t come quickly. It’s important to be someone who keeps working until the problem is solved.

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Detail-Oriented

When working with food, it’s often the little details like nuances in smell or taste that make a difference, so being observant with details is a must.

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Interpersonal

Building professional relationships is part of the job, so being comfortable talking with customers, industry experts, and technicians is important.

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The Best Things About This Job Are…

Pays Well
Helps Others
Continuous Learning
Has Business Perks
Making a Difference in the World