What skills does a sensory scientist need?

A sensory scientist needs 20 essential skills including microbiology-bacteriology, analytical chemistry, food flavourings, allergology, statistics. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace sensory scientist jobs?

The AI disruption score for sensory scientist is 27/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2113

sensory scientist

Sensory scientists carry out sensory analysis in order to compose or improve flavours and fragrances for the food, beverage and cosmetics industry. They base their flavour and fragrance development on sensory and consumer research. Sensory scientists carry out research and analyse statistical data to meet customers expectations.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (20)

microbiology-bacteriologymicrobiology-bacteriologyMicrobiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.analytical chemistryanalytical chemistryInstruments and methods used to separate, identify and quantify matter-the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.food flavouringsfood flavouringsSubstances used to alter the odour and taste of food products. They can be produced naturally by extracting the essential oil from the plant, or created chemically by mixing chemical compounds called ...allergologyallergologyAllergology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...market researchmarket researchThe processes, techniques, and purposes comprised in the first step for developing marketing strategies such as the collection of information about customers and the definition of segments and targets...combination of flavourscombination of flavoursThe large range of combinations of flavours to develop new recipes or products.molecular biologymolecular biologyThe interactions between the various systems of a cell, the interactions between the different types of genetic material and how these interactions are regulated.statistical analysis system softwarestatistical analysis system softwareSpecific software system (SAS) used for advanced analytics, business intelligence, data management, and predictive analytics.toxicologytoxicologyThe negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, their dose and exposure.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...olfactionolfactionThe sense of smell with its characteristics for the main olfactory systems and the more specific systems such as human olfactory system or accessory olfactory system.quantitative sensory testingquantitative sensory testingThe principles of different available methods and paradigms of quantitative sensory testing for heat sensing thresholds and pain thresholds and the limitations of psychophysical techniques.research new food ingredientsresearch new food ingredientsAssess new food ingredients by undergoing research activities in order to develop or improve foodstuffs.create beverage recipes with botanicalscreate beverage recipes with botanicalsCreates recipes for beverages using the findings obtained from research in using botanicals, combinations, and potential usage for manufacturing commercial products.perform sensory evaluation of food productsperform sensory evaluation of food productsEvaluate the quality of a given type of food or beverage based on its appearance, smell, taste, aroma, and others. Suggest possible improvements and comparisons with other products.prepare raw materialsprepare raw materialsPrepare and measure the basic materials that are needed to produce goods and finished products.research fragrancesresearch fragrancesResearch new chemical ingredients in order to develop new and better fragrance chemicals.advise on fragrancesadvise on fragrancesProvide advice on chemical fragrances to clients such as chemical manufacturers, chemical plants and researchers.analyse characteristics of food products at receptionanalyse characteristics of food products at receptionAnalyse characteristics, composition, and other properties of food products at reception.

Optional (19)

food legislationfood legislationLegislation related to the food and feed industry including food manufacturing, hygiene, safety, raw materials, additives, GMOs, labelling, environmental and trade regulations.food sciencefood scienceThe study of the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food and the scientific concepts underlying food processing and nutrition.allergiesallergiesChanges in an organism's response to a pathogen when that organism has been previously affected by the same pathogen.food allergiesfood allergiesThe types of food allergies within the sector, which substances trigger allergies, and how they can be replaced or eliminated (if possible).perfume raw materialsperfume raw materialsThe materials whose essence is extracted to manufacture perfumes. Raw materials for the manufacturing of perfumes such as flowers, spices, fruits, and wood.develop new food productsdevelop new food productsConduct experiments, produce sample products, and perform research as part of new food product development (NPD).analyse samples of food and beveragesanalyse samples of food and beveragesExamine if food or beverages are safe for human consumption. Verify the right levels of key ingredients and the correctness of the label declarations and the levels of nutrients present. Ensure sample...describe the flavour of different beersdescribe the flavour of different beersDescribe the taste and aroma, or flavour of different beers using the adequate lingo and relying on experience to classify beers.analyse consumer buying trendsanalyse consumer buying trendsAnalyse buying habits or currently prevalent customer behaviour.document analysis resultsdocument analysis resultsDocument on paper or on electronic devices the process and the results of the samples analysis performed.advise food industryadvise food industryGive councelling to food service managers and organisations, on matters related to nutrition such as menu development, food composition, budgeting, planning, sanitation, safety procedures, and process...perform physico-chemical analysis to food materialsperform physico-chemical analysis to food materialsPerforms a range of physical and chemical analysis to food materials in order to assess their quality.check quality of raw materialscheck quality of raw materialsCheck the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.test fragrances against customer satisfactiontest fragrances against customer satisfactionTest a new set of fragrances on a chosen group of volunteer customers in order to check how they react on the new products and which is their level of satisfaction.create fragrances formulaecreate fragrances formulaeCreate chemical fromulae for the already reseached new fragrances.troubleshoot cosmetics formula issuestroubleshoot cosmetics formula issuesTroubleshoot the unstable formulas, scalling-up issues in order to ensure stability and a high quality end product that conforms to specifications.assess quality characteristics of food productsassess quality characteristics of food productsAssess quality characteristics of food products in terms of the main properties (e.g. physical, sensorial, chemical, technological, etc.) for raw materials, half-finished products, as well as finish p...add scentadd scentMelt the wax, choose the appropriate amount of fragrance and mix it when the wax reaches the right temperature.report analysis resultsreport analysis resultsProduce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as...