Animal nutritionist
Animal nutritionists aim to increase and promote the understanding of the effect of diet on the health, well-being and productivity of animals.
They are active mostly in the field of agriculture, where they provide advice and information on animal nutrition as well as designing and evaluating the diets of the animals in questions. They may also work on the production of food for zoo and companion animals (pets), and advise on issues related to feeding them.
Animal nutritionists have expertise and interest in science and animal welfare and often need strong business management and communication skills. They can be found working for government departments, agricultural advisory bodies, international development agencies, educational and research institutions, animal food production companies and as freelance consultants.
Animal nutritionists can be generally divided into those who work directly with farmers and those who work for feed companies and everyday tasks will vary accordingly.
Typical work activities may include:
Due to the nature of the work, science related degrees such as biochemistry, biosciences, biomedical sciences, health sciences, dietetics and physiology, and agricultural, food and sports sciences are all relevant. The following subjects may open up more opportunities because of their focus on animals and/or nutrition:
Diplomates with an HND in nutrition hoping for a career in animal nutrition are recommended to transfer onto a relevant degree course to study nutritional science in more detail.
If you have a more general biology or science-related degree, it may be necessary to specialise in nutrition at postgraduate level. This is also an option for career changers.
A PhD is necessary for some posts and in order to undertake advanced training in nutritional research at MPhil or PhD level, you will need a strong degree (2:1 or first) or a relevant Masters.
Valid experience is also valued by employers and clients and so gaining experience in related areas, such as animal feed sales or practical farm experience, or having a farming background should be an advantage.
It is recommended that budding animal nutritionists should approach experienced nutritionists for work shadowing opportunities or to talk to them about the various areas of nutrition. This will help in choosing specialisations and in understanding current industrial trends.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
A decline in agricultural based jobs has meant that competition is strong for any animal nutrition vacancies. In order to have an advantage for any potential jobs, it is worthwhile gaining professional registration with the Association for Nutrition . Associate registration is available for newly qualified nutrition graduates with little or no experience. Full registration is available for those without a nutrition degree but only if they have around seven year’s professional experience. Once registered you will be on the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists which shows you have met certain ethical and quality standards. See The Nutrition Society for further details.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
In this fast-moving area of science there is an increasing emphasis on continuing professional development (CPD). Training opportunities may include a variety of in-house courses, as well as specialised external courses, on subjects such as relevant new legislation and scientific advances.
If you are a registered nutritionist through the Association for Nutrition , you must provide evidence of CPD after five years of being on the register to keep your registration. The Nutrition Society has guides and leaflets on CPD and offers support on this matter.
Many opportunities for professional networking and updating knowledge and skills are available through attending conferences and events organised by a range of bodies. The Nutrition Society has details of events and short courses.
You will also be expected to take responsibility for keeping yourself up to date by reading technical and scientific journals and subscribing to online resources, e.g. Feedinfo News Service and the British Society of Animal Sciences (BSAS) .
After gaining some experience as an animal nutritionist it is possible to become a specialist field consultant, or gain a post in technical sales or marketing in an animal feed production company within the commercial sector.
Nutritionists who have started out with one of the smaller manufacturers can progress by moving to a larger multinational company, where there is likely to be greater scope for promotion and/or for a more varied role. You may also find an opportunity to develop a specialism in nutrition for a particular species, such as poultry or companion animals. Association for Nutrition accredited MSc courses in animal nutrition and production are available at some universities and may be used alongside specialist work for certain government or feeding industry roles.
The career path/progression of an animal nutritionist within research and academia is likely to be very similar to that of other research scientists. Post PhD careers might include research on an EU-funded project, lecturing in animal nutrition, researching animal management for a feed additive company, and product management for an international breeding firm.
For experienced animal nutritionists, there may be opportunities available for working in community projects in the developing world with organisations such as Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) . Alternatively, if you have built up a strong and loyal client base, you might find work in community development in the UK or as a freelance independent consultant.
There may also be opportunities to move into human nutrition or dietetics. Courses approved by the Dietitian's Board of the Health Professions Council (HPC) are recommended. See the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for further details.
In the commercial sector, most feed retailers and pet food manufacturers employ animal nutritionists. Roles may range from product development to sales-related jobs. Opportunities may also exist in agricultural consultancy organisations, overseas development agencies, marketing, and public relations and the media.
The ADAS and the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) employ animal nutritionists as research scientists and on a consultancy basis.
For those preferring an academic route, there are opportunities for teaching and research in universities and agricultural colleges. Delivering health and science education in schools and colleges is also an option, for which a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) would be a requirement.
There are a small number of openings for experienced animal nutritionists to work for non-governmental organisation (NGO) projects in the developing world.
Animal nutrition for pets and in zoos, apart from posts with pet food manufacturers, is largely in the hands of veterinarians, who may call on nutritionists for advice when necessary.
Specialist recruitment agencies handle some scientific vacancies.
Conferences often provide valuable sources of contacts. Through networking, jobseekers can hold informal meetings with key contacts in established organisations.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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