Dairy scientists work on the processing of milk and the production of dairy products, as well as carrying out research and product development.
In the work of a dairy scientist, dairy farms and product processing plants are likely places of work, but dairy scientists also work elsewhere in the food industry, such as in breweries and candy factories. Dairy scientists in Iceland also work in the hygiene industry, pharmaceutical production and at regulatory agencies such as health inspection.
A dairy scientist needs to know the properties of the raw materials used in the profession and know the appropriate control and production equipment, which is often computer-controlled. Hygiene is a major factor in the handling of dairy products, and it is important to know the most common microorganisms that are found and/or can get into dairy and food processing. It is important to be able to work independently and show initiative in work, as well as having some knowledge of foreign languages.
Dairy science is a three-year vocational education, both practical and theoretical. Most Icelandic dairy scientists have organized their studies so that the practical studies mostly take place in Iceland, while the theoretical ones take place at KOLD College in Odense, Denmark. The idea of a study program in dairy studies has also been raised at Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri.
