Sensory Scientist
Sensory scientists spearhead product development for companies. Not only do they conduct research and testing to gauge what consumers are drawn to, but they also use it to inform the development and improvement of new products.
There is a wide range of jobs that rely on sensory science, all of which involve understanding a product’s sensory experience to improve its quality. Food scientists and technologists, research managers and directors, sensory scientists and sensory and consumer insight specialists are some of the many facets of sensory science.
Consumer and sensory scientists are valuable additions to any team, especially in industries that create highly interactive products. The food and beverage industries and personal care and cosmetics industries hire the most consumer sensory scientists; companies like Nestle or Mérieux NutriSciences keep sensory science professionals in high demand.
When looking to hire sensory scientists, employers generally seek prospective employees with experience in marketing research, including a variety of consumer testing techniques, descriptive analysis methodologies and focus groups. Sensory scientists also need to be familiar with the various dimensions of conducting research, such as designing experiments, managing studies, statistical analysis and interpreting data, ensuring high quality results and communicating results with impact.