Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Food Scientist
What food scientists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a food scientist?
Bench-test a new recipe. From there, the day usually includes develop products, run sensory tests, and test shelf life. Full-time business hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a food scientist working full time.
- Bench-test a new recipe.
- Run a sensory panel.
- Check shelf-life samples.
- Meet marketing about a launch.
- Scale up a pilot batch.
- Write a spec sheet.
- Review label claims.
Where food scientists work
Food scientists work in labs, pilot plants and food factories.
Hours and schedule
Full-time business hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Develop products
- Run sensory tests
- Test shelf life
- Ensure food safety
- Scale recipes
- Write specs
- Work with production
Tools you’ll use every day
- Lab equipment
- Pilot plant equipment
- Texture analyzers
- pH meters
- Formulation software
- Statistical software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Creative work
- Taste food at work
- Many employers
What’s hard
- Product failures
- Regulatory detail
- Plant trials
- Launch pressure
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love food
- I like chemistry
- I’m creative
- I like testing
- I want growing work
- I like teamwork
Not sure? Take the free Food Scientist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow food safety rules
- Follow lab safety
- Manage allergens
- Check label claims