Food Scientist

Holland Code:

Think

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

Alton Brown

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

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nova Scotia

Ontario

PEI

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskwatchewan

I get to mix science and creativity every day. In the lab, I test ingredients, explore new flavours and experiment with ways to make food healthier and safer. Then in the office, I study the data and share results that help improve how our food is made. It’s exciting to know my work helps shape what ends up on people’s plates.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

References

AITC Canada

Disclaimer

All career information has been gathered from a variety of sources and compiled to provide a general idea as to what each career could entail. Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is committed to doing our best to ensure the information is current and reliable. However, we will not be liable for the accuracy of the information. Please contact us if you notice errors or would like to provide feedback.