Food Scientists and Technologists

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Food Scientists and Technologists

Careers / Food Scientists and Technologists

Summary Description


	Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Associate Professor

2.	Compliance Coordinator

3.	Confectionery Laboratory Manager

4.	Dairy Bacteriologist

5.	Enologist

6.	Food and Drug Research Scientist

7.	Food Chemist

8.	Food Preservation Scientist

9.	Food Processing Scientist

10.	Food Safety Director

11.	Food Safety Scientist

12.	Food Science Professor

13.	Food Scientist

14.	Food Technologist

15.	Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Coordinator (HACCP Coordinator)

16.	Hybrid Corn Breeder

17.	Hybrid Technologist

18.	Laboratory Manager (Lab Manager)

19.	Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)

20.	Microbiologist

21.	Process Engineer

22.	Product Development Manager

23.	Product Development Scientist

24.	Professor

25.	Professor of Food Biochemistry

26.	Quality Assurance Director (QA Director)

27.	Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager)

28.	Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector)

29.	Quality Control Scientist (QC Scientist)

30.	Research and Development Director (R & D Director)

31.	Research and Development Manager (R & D Manager)

32.	Research Chef

33.	Research Food Technologist

34.	Research Scientist

35.	Seafood Technology Specialist

36.	Swine Nutritionist

37.	Technical Director

38.	Value Analysis Coordinator

Job Tasks

	Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value. Evaluate quality of materials or products.

	Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management standards. Inspect areas for compliance with sanitation standards.

	Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations. Evaluate new technologies or methods.

	Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience. Research methods to improve food products.

	Stay up-to-date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature. Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.

	Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards. Test quality of materials or finished products.

	Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications. Establish standards for products, processes, or procedures.

	Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences. Research methods to improve food products.

	Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development. Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.

	Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing. Research methods to improve food products.

	Demonstrate products to clients. Confer with clients to exchange information.

	Develop new food items for production, based on consumer feedback.

	Search for substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Agricultural and Food Scientists
	Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Agricultural and Food Scientists
	Agricultural and food scientists work in various industries, including colleges and universities, manufacturing, and in scientific research and development. They work in offices, laboratories, and, sometimes, food production facilities. Most agricultural and food scientists work full time.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

The Rx symbol used in pharmacology was originally as astrological sign for the planet Jupiter. Its use originated in the Middle Ages when doctors believed that planets influenced health.

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