How to Become a Food Scientist in the UK
As a food scientist in the UK, you will develop food items for consumption and ensure it is safe and has the required nutrition to be sold. Other responsibilities of a food scientist include: finding new ways to keep food fresh longer, producing food in a more efficient means, testing food for safety and quality. Food scientists may also be developing recipes and modifying new recipes for improvements. Ingredient research and experiments may also be part of your position.
Instructions
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Contact the IFST (Institute of Food Science and Technology) to research job areas that may interest you. Request to meet with someone in the concentration you are interested in. Meet with this expert and ask about their job and responsibilities. It will help you get a realistic picture of what your job as a food scientist would be like.
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Obtain a degree in chemistry or biology from an accredited university. If you have a degree in a different area, you can go for a post graduate degree which includes in food safety or food quality management courses. This will increase your chances of getting employed as a food scientist.
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During university, you could begin your career part time as a lab tech in a food science lab to get the necessary experience before graduation. This will increase your chances of being hired as a food scientist after graduation.
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Research your employment options just prior to graduation. Start contacting food manufacturers, supermarket chains and government research organizations to see what employment requirements they hold.
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Expect your salary as a starting food scientists to start around £22,000 to £27,000 a year. As your experience increases, you could expect to be paid between £32,000 and £42,000 annually.
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Tips & Warnings
Strong math skills are necessary to be successful in this profession.