Recruitment of food scientists is set to increase in 2010, according to a survey from scientific and engineering recruiter SRG.

Its survey of 550 scientific employers found that while the sector was using the least staff compared with other science sectors including pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical, oil and healthcare, such employers are now near the top in terms of hiring permanent staff. This trend is reversed when it comes to contract staff, with companies in this sector using less than last year.

Bruce Swan, food industry specialist for SRG, says: “The outlook for 2010 is looking positive with the food sector predicting growth in permanent staff hire during 2010, which follows the general trend throughout the science community.”