PhD in Food Science is a research-based doctorate course in Food Science and its related fields. It deals with all the fields of Food Science including Food Chemistry, Vegetable and Cereal Technology, Dairy and Poultry Technology, Food Quality Control, etc. During a PhD in Food Science, the candidates will have to research any one of the major topics of Food Science and will have to submit the thesis to gain a PhD degree. The minimum duration of the course is 3 years, but it can be extended up to 5 years depending on the length of the research.
To be eligible for PhD Food Science, a candidate must complete an MSc or MTech in Food Science or Food Science with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. The candidates will be selected based on entrance exam scores. The admission to PhD Food Science is mainly entrance-based. Some of the most popular Entrance Exams for this course are UGC NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, etc. After the entrance exam, the candidates will have to appear in a personal interview for final selection.
The average annual fee for completing PhD Food Science in India ranges between INR 50,000 to 1,25,000. The top colleges offering PhD Food Science have been tabulated in the table below. The major job profiles offered to PhD Food Science candidates include Food Technologists, Food Quality Control Managers, Food Quality Inspector, Quality Assurance Managers, Nutritionists, etc. The average placement package offered to PhD Food Science candidates ranges between INR 4,00,000 to INR 10,00,000. The salary increases with experience and may rise up to INR 20,00,000, depending on the skills of the candidates.
Full-Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science |
Level of Study | Doctorate Degree |
Course Duration | 3 - 5 years |
Eligibility Criteria | Master's in Food Science |
Admission Process | Entrance Based |
Examination type | Semester |
Course Fee | Notified Soon |
Average Starting Salary | INR 4,00,000 to 10,00,000 |
Job Options | Professor, Lecturer, Food Technologist, Nutritionist, Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Control Inspector, etc. |
Areas of Employment | Colleges and Universities, Quality Control Laboratories, Research Centres, Fisheries and Poultries, etc. |
IIT JAM
VITMEE
UGC NET
The detailed admission process for PhD Food Science is discussed below.
Application Process: The candidates will have to apply for the entrance exams and colleges where they wish to get admission separately. The candidates must check the application form before submission to ensure that it is correct.
Entrance Exam: Most of the PhD entrance exams are conducted on online mode. The admit cards are generally released 10 days before the entrance exam.
Merit List: Once the results of the entrance exams are announced, the candidates who qualified for the cutoffs will be shortlisted by the college. The names of these candidates will be published in the form of a merit list.
Personal Interview: The shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview. The candidates will be asked questions on their research ideas during this interview.
Document Verification: The selected candidates will have to present appropriate documents to prove their eligibility.
Enrollment: Finally, the eligible candidates will be granted admission to the course.
There are some requirements of eligibility for enrolling in a PhD in Food Science in India. The following are the PhD in Food Science eligibility requirements for the course:
The duration of a PhD program in Food Science varies depending on the program but typically takes 4-6 years to complete. The duration may also vary depending on whether the student is pursuing the degree on a full-time or part-time basis. |
The selection criteria for a PhD program in Food Science typically include academic record, research experience, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, test scores, and personal interview.
Many programs also consider the fit between the student's research interests and those of the faculty members in the program.
Applicants can typically apply for a PhD program in Food Science online through the university's admissions portal or a centralized application system such as the Common Application.
Application requirements may include transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume or CV.
It is important to check the specific requirements and deadlines for each program.
To apply for a PhD program in Food Science, applicants must typically fill out an online application form through the university's admissions portal or a centralized application system such as the Common Application.
The application form will typically require applicants to provide personal and educational information, as well as submit supporting documents such as transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and a resume or CV.
Applicants should check the specific requirements and deadlines for each program.
The application fee for a PhD program in Food Science varies depending on the university and program. Typically, the fee ranges from Updated Soon. |
Job Scope | Job Description |
Professor | Food Technology Professors teach the various aspects of the subject to undergraduate and postgraduate students. |
R&D Manager | Research and Development Managers decide which new research to take on depending on the market demands. They also look after the ongoing research works. |
Food Science Researcher | Food Science Researchers research and discover new aspects of Food Preservation, Food Processing, Food Production, etc. |
Research Analyst | Research Analyst research on the different aspects of Food production, food processing and food toxification. |
Nutritionist | Nutritionists prescribe the kind of Nutrition, Food and Diet that one needs to take depending on the physical requirements of the person. |
Food Technologist | Food Technologists work to produce new food products, flavors, processes, etc for the food company where they work. |
Food Processing Manager | A food processing manager looks after the food processing activities in a food processing unit. They also advise on new food processing principles. |
Quality Control Inspector | Quality control inspectors verify the quality of the food, find out if it is harmful or unfit for consumption and decide the overall quality of the food product. |
Quality Control Manager | The Quality Control Manager of a company generally works for improving the quality of the food produced and also checking the quality of the existing products. |
Graduates of a PhD program in Food Science can pursue a variety of career opportunities, including:
Academic positions as professors or researchers in universities and research institutions.
Industry positions in food and beverage companies, where they can work in research and development, quality assurance, or product development.
Government positions in regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), where they can work in food safety and inspection.
Consulting positions where they can advise companies on food safety, product development, and regulatory compliance.
Some of the top colleges for a PhD program in Food Science include:
Cornell University - Ithaca, NY |
University of California-Davis - Davis, CA |
Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN |
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign - Urbana, IL |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst - Amherst, MA |
Ohio State University - Columbus, OH |
North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC |
Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI |
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - Minneapolis, MN. |
Q.1 - What is the procedure for Ph.D. Admission to the University?
ANSWER: - The Ph.D. and M.Phil. programs of prestigious Universities are conducted and guided strictly as per the provisions and regulations dictated by the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D./M.Phil. Degrees) (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2018 and subsequent amendments. The entire procedure for admission to the research programs encompasses a Research Entrance Exam (RET) and then an Interview/Viva Voce. The performance of a candidate in the RET is given 70% weightage, and the remaining 30% weightage is given to his/her performance at the Interview.
Q.2 - What are the modes of pursuing M.Phil. & Ph.D. programs at the University?
ANSWER: -Both the full-time and part-time modes are available at University for pursuing its Ph.D. programs and only the full-time mode is available for M.Phil. program in the desired subjects/fields. These highly-qualitative and prolific research programs are available in a rather broad range of fields/subjects. At University, the minimum time duration of the M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs is 1.5 Years and 3 Years, respectively, in general.
Q.3 - Are the Ph.D. and M.Phil. Degrees granted by any University valid abroad?
ANSWER: -Yes, of course. If the University is properly recognized under section 2(f) of the UGC Act of 1956 and is a prestigious member of the AIU (the Association of Indian Universities). It is an M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees granted in various fields/subjects are duly valid across India and the world.
Q.4 - What are the main eligibility criteria for participating in the University Research Entrance Exam (RET)?
ANSWER: -The following are the main eligibility conditions for participating in the RET: - A rigorous Master’s Degree in the proposed subject/field obtained from any recognized university/institution located in India or abroad, with a minimum 55% marks in aggregate or an equivalent grade. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Differently-abled categories are given a 5% relaxation in respect of this eligibility criterion. Candidates with an M.Phil. degree in the proposed field/subject, or have qualified for the UGC (JRF) Examinations/ NET/ SET/ SELT, etc., will be allowed to appear directly for the interview, without appearing in the RET. Impressive academic records, and any prior experience in research work, will be given additional advantages.
Q.5 - What relaxations are granted to the reserved categories for Ph.D.? Admission to the University?
ANSWER: - Candidates belonging to the categories of SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, and so on, are given all relaxations prescribed by the Govt. of India and the UGC. These relaxations are provided in form of 5% reduced marks for them at post-graduation, and also in the minimum qualifying marks at RET. Thus, candidates belonging to these categories only need to score a minimum of 45% marks at RET, to qualify for the final interview.
Q.6 - How will be the pattern of RET?
ANSWER: - The syllabus or pattern of RET consists of subject-specific matters, research methodology, and aptitude (covering logical reasoning, numerical ability, analytical reasoning, statistics, etc.).Thus, RET will contain a total of 70 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Q.7 - Are M.Phil. Holders/UGC- NET (including JRF)/ UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF)/ SLET/ GATE exempted from appearing at RET?
ANSWER: - Yes. The holders of M.Phil. degrees in their respective fields/subjects are made exempt from appearing in RET. The same is the situation in cases of aspiring candidates who have qualified exams like UGC-NET (including JRF)/ UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF)/ SLET/ GATE, etc.
Q.8 - How is the application fee paid?
ANSWER: - The Application Fee (i.e. the fee for getting participated in RET) can be paid online or offline, like the Application Form. Payment Modes: DD (in Favor of the University) / NEFT/ Cash Deposit.
Q.9 - Do working candidates require to obtain NOC from employers for pursuing research at any University?
ANSWER: - Yes, necessarily. Working Professionals who are interested in research at any University are required to obtain the NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their respective employers, in order to avert any intrusion ever during the entire doctoral course.
Q.10 - Does an M.Phil. holder require to undergo Ph.D. coursework?
ANSWER: - Yes. M.Phil. holders are again required to undergo the coursework in Ph.D. at some Universities. However, their prior knowledge in the field/subject will be very supportive to them for learning and performing efficiently during the Ph.D. program.
Q.11 - Can I pay the yearly program/course fee in installments?
ANSWER: - Yes, you can pay the yearly course fee as many as in two installments, but well within the yearly session.
Q.12 - Does Any University provide any scholarship or stipend to pursuing scholars?
ANSWER: - Yes, of course. Many Universities offer scholarships as well as stipends to meritorious and talented candidates who undertake research studies at the University. Scholarships are granted to those candidates who come under the top 21 by scoring higher marks in RET and interviews. And, stipends are provided to those scholars who also give lectures to UG or PG students at the University, in addition to doing their Ph.D. coursework. The amount of the monthly stipend will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and capabilities and may go up to Rs. 20,000.
Q.13 - What other many facilities are provided to research scholars at the University Campus?
ANSWER: - All necessary and constructive resources, amenities, and facilities are offered by well-established and prestigious universities to research scholars in various streams/subjects. These facilities include the following - spacious and peaceful study rooms, erudite and well-experienced academicians and research experts, Wi-Fi and diverse IT devices, state-of-the-art laboratories, well-stocked libraries, lavish R&D amenities, separate amenities for lodging and foods for male and female candidates, peaceful and constructive environment within the university campus, and many other comforting and convenient facilities and services.