Life Sciences

You're interested in studying Food and Nutrition but do you know about the range of career options that will be available to you once you graduate?

Here's just a few of the numerous specialist areas that could be open to you...

Nutritionist/ Dietitian

As a qualified nutritionist you will be able to provide evidence-based information and guidance about the impacts of food and nutrition on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Nutritionists have a good understanding of the scientific basis of nutrition and work in a range of settings, including research, food industry, education, public health sectors, and in policy development. Qualified nutritionists might wish to progress in their future career and become dietitians, a qualified health professionals working in hospitals and clinical settings. They would require to obtain further qualification at an MSc level to become a qualified dietitian.

Food Scientist

Food scientists investigate and evaluate the food chemical, biological and the physical properties. These scientists apply all this knowledge to improve the food products from processing to storage in order to enhance the product quality and safety. They can work with governments, food regulatory bodies, private industries, small and large food processing plants and some research & development laboratories.

Find out more about the role of a Food Scientist

Food Production and Processing Technologist

This role involves developing manufacturing processes and recipes of food and drink products and working on existing and newly-discovered ingredients to invent new recipes and concepts. Some food technologists are involved in conducting experiments and producing sample products, as well as designing the processes and machinery for making products with a consistent flavour, colour and texture in small and large quantities. The roles could be in food manufacturing sites, technical centres in food service or at a retailer.

New Product Development Technologist

The consumer demands and new trends of food consumption are changing rapidly putting pressure on the food industry. New product development technologist role is to create new and innovative products and improve the industrial processes used to manufacture food products. The role will involve collaboration with technicians, marketing and manufacturing personnel’s to make sure the product is meeting the company, legislation and the customer expectations.

Food Analysts (Analytical and Microbiology):

This role is mainly lab based, either in analytical chemistry settings, where advanced analytical instrumentation's and wet chemistry procedures are used to evaluate food and its components. The role might also involve some microbiological testing activities to evaluate and examine the microbiological content of food products. The role could be in industry, technical services, contract labs or academia.

Food Safety, Quality and Assurance Technologist

It is a factory based routine role that would involve the continuous and rigorous inspection of products and process in food production lines. This could include safety and hygiene inspections, regular sampling and instrumentation checks, analytical and microbiological testing’s of products from the production lines and in storage areas.

Sensory Technologist or Analysts

The role will be focused purely on the evaluation of sensory properties of food commodities and will include the analyses and measurement of human responses to the composition of food and drink, e.g. appearance, touch, odour, texture, temperature and taste. These roles would usually be within large food manufacturing companies, technical centres or a specialist advisory company or consultancy.

Food Technology and Nutrition Teacher

If you are passionate about sharing your knowledge and experiences and would like to explore a career in teaching, you will be able to become a teacher in food technology and nutrition working in schools. To proceed with this career choice you will be required to obtain a postgraduate certificate in education to become a teacher.