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You are here: Home › Careers › Australian Careers › Careers Descriptions › Food and Beverage Manufacturing Careers › Food Scientist/Technologist

Food Scientist/Technologist

Food scientists/technologists research new food and beverage products, and develop ways to produce and improve the quality of these products. They may also develop or improve the processing, packaging, storage and safety of food in accordance with government and industry standards.

 

Tasks & duties

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Food scientists/technologists may do some or all of the following:

  • improve or develop new food and drinks
  • develop new food packaging or improve current packaging
  • make test samples of food products and conduct trials
  • manage production of food and drinks
  • develop and supervise food manufacturing processes and equipment
  • ensure food products meet specifications and standards (quality assurance)
  • source and select ingredients for food products
  • improve efficiency of manufacturing processes
  • investigate the sensory and nutritional properties of foods

 

Specialisations

Food scientists/technologists often specialise in one area of food technology such as:

  • packaging
  • product development
  • production
  • quality assurance
  • policy and standards
  • technical sales
  • research and development

 

Skills & knowledge

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Food scientists/technologists need to have:

  • knowledge of food and drink products
  • knowledge of food processing and production methods
  • knowledge of hygiene and quality standards
  • skill in analysing and interpreting research results
  • practical skills for performing experiments and operating scientific equipment
  • problem-solving skills
  • planning and organisational skills
  • communication skills
  • writing skills, for writing reports and for publications
  • maths and computer skills

 

Entry requirements

To become a food scientist/technologist, most employers require you to have a Bachelor's degree in food science or food technology. 

 

Secondary education

To enter a food science/technology tertiary course, Year 12 Certificate of Education or Higher School Certificate calculus and chemistry. The entry requirements for food science/technology courses vary, so you may also need statistics, physics, technology or biology.

 

Training on the job

Food scientists/technologists are often required to complete on-the-job training programmes specific to the products and processes they are working with. They may also need to do further professional development courses to keep up with market trends, or travel overseas to complete specialised courses.

 

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for food scientists/technologists includes:

  • food processing or production work
  • laboratory work
  • quality assurance work
  • business management or marketing

 

Related courses

Food Science and Biotechnology
Laboratory Technology

 

For more information, please refer to myfuture. 

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