Consumer scientist

Consumer scientists look at why people use products or services, and use this to advise retailers and manufacturers on improving their items and services. If they're working with a food manufacturer, the consumer scientist will need to test recipes, conduct interviews with consumers, and research the tastes and preferences of these consumers before they can pass the advice on to the manufacturer. This may be written in a report form, so they'll need to have good analysing skills as well as English language and communication skills. They may have to talk with the media, give advice to hotels, restaurants or hospitals on catering or advise on healthy living in schools. Whoever they're working with, it's important to have good customer service skills. To become a consumer scientist, you usually need a degree in a relevant subject such as consumer studies, food science or technology, or statistics. Some employers may ask for a postgraduate qualification in behavioural psychology or consumer behaviour too. Consumer scientists can earn between £19,000 and £50,000 depending on experience.