Consumer scientist
Consumer scientists study why people use or buy products and services, and give advice to retailers and manufacturers.
Typical Salary
£19,000 – £50,000
per year
Working Hours
37–39
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
Duties will vary depending on your industry but you may:
- recruit and train panels or focus groups
- conduct interviews with consumers
- investigate consumer trends
- give advice to manufacturers and retailers on improving products and services
- develop tests to make sure products meet quality standards and legal requirements
- produce information on new products for the public
- research, write and present reports
- advise on healthy living in schools, colleges and universities
Skills needed
- analytical thinking skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- maths knowledge
- the ability to use your initiative
- customer service skills
- persistence and determination
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- applying directly
Career progression
With experience you could move into a management post or specialise in one area, for example data analysis.
With training you could use your experience to work in education.