What does a research food technologist do?
Research food technologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research food technologist resumes:
- Lead technology evaluation, scale-up & commercialization (milling, extraction, distillation, clarification, ultra-filtration & concentration).
- Supervise activities of analytical cellular and molecular immunology laboratories.
- Supervise activities of analytical cellular and molecular immunology laboratories.
Research food technologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 33% of Research Food Technologists are proficient in Pilot Plant, R, and Research Projects. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Communication skills, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Food Technologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pilot Plant, 33%
Assist in pilot plant to scale-up of products at both manufacturing facilities.
- R, 30%
Implemented process control checks and QC testing methods, executed Gage R and R for new test methods.
- Research Projects, 13%
Searched and identified research projects focused on tropical food product development.
- Bench Top, 8%
Take assigned projects from concept to bench top to production and commercialization.
- Laboratory Procedures, 7%
Train and supervise lab technicians in basic laboratory procedures and protocols.
- Product Development, 6%
Conducted lab-scale, pilot-scale and plant-scale experiments for new product development, ingredient modification, and process improvement.2.
Most research food technologists use their skills in "pilot plant," "r," and "research projects" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research food technologist responsibilities here:
Math skills. The most essential soft skill for a research food technologist to carry out their responsibilities is math skills. This skill is important for the role because "agricultural and food scientists, like many other scientists, must have a sound grasp of mathematical concepts." Additionally, a research food technologist resume shows how their duties depend on math skills: "validated and implemented quantitative analytical methods for the determination of biomarkers in biological matrices. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling research food technologist duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "communication skills are critical for agricultural and food scientists." According to a research food technologist resume, here's how research food technologists can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "developed ado.net classes for the communication of sql server 2005. "
Observation skills. This is an important skill for research food technologists to perform their duties. For an example of how research food technologist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "agricultural and food scientists conduct experiments that require precise observation of samples and other data." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research food technologist: "record experiments and observations in a laboratory notebook following glp and/or gmp and departmental sops. ".
The three companies that hire the most research food technologists are:
- System One3 research food technologists jobs
- US Meat Animal Research Center3 research food technologists jobs
- Torchy's Tacos2 research food technologists jobs
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Compare different research food technologists
Research food technologist vs. Postdoctoral research associate
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research food technologists and postdoctoral research associate. For instance, research food technologist responsibilities require skills such as "pilot plant," "food service," "harvest," and "bench top." Whereas a postdoctoral research associate is skilled in "python," "chemistry," "post-doctoral," and "cell culture." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, postdoctoral research associates reach similar levels of education than research food technologists. Postdoctoral research associates are 4.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 41.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research food technologist vs. Enologist
A food safety scientist's responsibility is to improve food quality and packaging and to create new food products by developing excellent processing, storage, and transportation procedures with proper compliance with the health and safety standards. He/she is skilled at analyzing the nutritional food content, discovering new food sources, and researching safe and healthy food processing. In addition, this food scientist studies the microbiological, chemical, and physical properties of food and ingredients to ensure its safety for consumers.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that research food technologist responsibilities requires skills like "pilot plant," "r," "food service," and "research projects." But an enologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "wine," "winemaker," "lab analysis," and "sensory evaluation."
Enologists earn similar levels of education than research food technologists in general. They're 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 41.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research food technologists in the next 3-5 years?
James Adams
Adjunct Professor, Texas Woman’s University
Research food technologist vs. Food safety scientist
A food scientists' job is primarily to improve food in terms of quality and packaging and create new food products. This job may include ensuring products comply with health and safety standards as well as developing excellent quality food processing, storage, and transportation procedures. They will collaborate with project groups to make new products starting from conceptualization to commercialization. Moreover, they work on the release of potential brands and improve nutritional quality, especially the flavor and texture of food. Also, they assist the company in leading product improvements and innovations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research food technologist is likely to be skilled in "pilot plant," "food service," "harvest," and "research projects," while a typical food safety scientist is skilled in "safety data," "safety issues," "sops," and "drug safety."
Food safety scientists typically earn lower educational levels compared to research food technologists. Specifically, they're 10.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 9.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research food technologist vs. Food scientist
Types of research food technologist
Updated January 8, 2025
