Food or Agricultural Chemist

What is a Food or Agricultural Chemist?

Duties

As a food or agricultural chemist, you are expected to deliver on the following tasks effectively:

• Coordinate with research professionals from other areas like biochemists, biologists, toxicologists, etc. on improving chemical compositions for protecting and producing optimal crops or livestock.
• Find ways to develop and implement solutions to bio-chemical reactions, both cause and effect, pertaining to plant and animal growth
• Create reports and work on products influenced by key findings of research
• Advise professionals on technical issues, while also contributing to the purchase and sale of chemicals.

Day In The Life

In the simplest terms, food or agricultural chemists conduct research on proteins, fats and carbohydrates to assess which works for a particular food system. In applications research, professionals in such roles look for innovative channels by which to utilize ingredients better such as alternatives for fat or sugar.

Other tasks day to day that arise include evaluating methods of processing heat, freezing, packing and canning; fine-tuning the impacts of processing on variables like freshness, taste, appearance and vitamin content of food; conducting tests on various samples to ensure that food as well as beverages are in line with food/agricultural regulations and labeling requirements. Food or agricultural chemistry range from enhancing agricultural raw materials to consumer-based commodities.

Work Schedule

Food or agricultural chemists spend most of their time working in settings such as a laboratory or in the field.  As a chemist, you will enjoy the chance to work outside to collect food or environmental samples, or review the progress of field trials. Opportunities are usually full-time versus part-time.

Growth Of The Job

Steady growth in this field has been projected as food or agricultural testing by various research institutions has increased by 15% every year for the past 5 years, and the Food Safety Modernization Act is resulting in more testing for the purpose of scientific inquiry.

Food scientists are positive about future job prospects despite significant downsizing in the industry. With increasing reliance on a variety of processed foods, such as developments in nutraceuticals and functional foods (e.g., orange juice that is fortified with calcium for bone health), there will be sufficient demand for experts like agricultural and food chemists. Many may choose to work in one area then transfer to a related field or even begin their independent venture after gaining sufficient experience. Some also work at secure government positions in different laboratories, eventually getting promoted to managerial positions.

Typical Employers

Food chemists find employment with the industry, specifically in food-processing and ingredient supply companies. You can also look for job opportunities with government agencies at both local and federal level, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In case you take up a job with the government, you will be conducting varying levels of research and advancing ways to increase nutritional value and safety in accordance with environmental guidelines. In addition, positions in academia are also available where you would conduct research.

Research intensive work can be found with testing facilities that look into drinking water and other aspects of the environment (waste water, air and soil analysis), in a wide range of industries such as agriculture, chemical and pharmaceuticals, as well as forensic and clinical chemistry. While government research tends to be service oriented, whereas industry involves developing or selling customized products and services.