Food science technician
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work shifts, including nights and weekends
- Usually work in laboratories, offices or factories
- Need to be methodical, accurate and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Measure and analyse chemical substances
- Prepare biologicial samples for analysis
- Evaluate quality of materials and products
- Study chemicals found in food
- Check quality of food products
- Research methods to improve food products
- Maintain and clean tools and equipment
- Train people in technical methods
- Record research information and data
Outlook
New Zealand’s food and beverage sector continues to develop premium, safe and sustainable products for local and export markets. Innovation is driven by changing consumer tastes, nutrition, traceability, waste reduction and alternative ingredients. Food science technicians support testing, product development and quality systems, with digital tools and more precise laboratory technologies becoming increasingly important.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Careful laboratory practice and attention to detail
- Interest in science, food and how products are made
- Ability to follow safety, hygiene and quality procedures
- Accurate data recording and basic data-analysis skills
- Problem-solving and curiosity when results are unexpected
- Teamwork and clear communication with technical colleagues
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.