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- Tasks: Conduct forensic investigations into food safety and quality disputes worldwide.
- Company: Join MTD, a leading consultancy in food and agriculture based in Cardiff.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, travel opportunities, and develop your scientific skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food safety while working with diverse clients globally.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate degree preferred; strong communication and problem-solving skills essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and learning in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
MTD is currently recruiting for a Consultant Scientist (Food and Agriculture) to join our consultancy team in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
As a Consultant Scientist within MTD’s food and agriculture consultancy team, you will develop the skills required to perform forensic investigations into safety and quality disputes on a variety of food and agricultural commodities. This will include extensive training in our Food Laboratory at our Head Office in Cardiff and attendance on site with experienced consultants to learn in the field. The disputes can arise throughout the supply chain and are undertaken for clients in the marine and insurance sectors, including international insurance companies, traders, manufacturers, suppliers, ship owners, P&I Clubs, claims handlers, loss adjusters and solicitors. Our clients appoint MTD to provide clear and independent technical advice into the cause of an incident and how the problem might best be mitigated.
Investigations typically involve attendance at the site of an incident (often at very short notice) to gather evidence, oversee sampling, interview parties and manage high‑pressure, contentious situations. Further investigation may involve laboratory analysis of samples using routine international test methods or tailored methodologies to determine the root cause of an incident. Findings are compiled into a technical report for clients without a scientific background, and experts may be required to give evidence in court, arbitration or mediation.
Example Work
- Develop and oversee appropriate sampling protocols to determine the extent of mycotoxin contamination.
- Conclude reliably the rate of heat damage to a consignment of soya beans in East Asia and appraise how such damage could be mitigated.
- Attend in Djibouti to investigate the cause of a fire to a consignment of bagged wheat flour.
- Investigate the cause and extent of an infestation to grain in silos and warehouses in the United Kingdom.
- Investigate the apparent increase in moisture content to a consignment of refined sugar in West Africa despite no signs of external wetting.
- Attend in Central America to investigate the allegation, cause and extent in the change of colour of a consignment of maize.
- Investigate to determine the nature and source of a particulate contamination to a consignment of vegetable oils refined in Indonesia.
- Determine the cause of increased acidity of refined vegetable oil intended for use as a biofuel feedstock.
Key Responsibilities
- Attend incidents worldwide to perform forensic investigations into safety and quality disputes concerning food and agricultural commodities.
- Prepare sampling and testing protocols for consignments in line with International Standards.
- Witness and supervise sampling operations.
- Gather contemporaneous evidence related to the background and circumstances of the incident.
- Review and consult documentation while researching applicable standards and regulations where required.
- Manage cases by reporting to clients and liaising with other parties involved in the incident.
- Prepare written technical advice and reports.
- Attend meetings with clients to discuss findings.
- Provide expert evidence in mediation, arbitration or court.
MTD’s Requirements
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject preferred but not essential.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including preparing scientific reports for non‑scientific clients.
- Problem‑solving skills and initiative.
- Eagerness to learn and develop skills.
- Prepared to travel at immediate notice.
- Ability to manage own workload and meet deadlines when handling multiple projects.
- Experience in the food industry or agricultural science is advantageous.
- Experience with sampling or analysing food and agricultural commodities would be considered an advantage.
Consultant Scientist (Food and Agriculture) in Cardiff employer: Minton, Treharne & Davies
Contact Detail:
Minton, Treharne & Davies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Scientist (Food and Agriculture) in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the food and agriculture sector on LinkedIn or at industry events. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be when it comes to landing that Consultant Scientist role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and current trends in food safety and quality. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles or projects. We want to see how you think on your feet, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant Scientist (Food and Agriculture) in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Consultant Scientist role. Highlight any relevant experience in food and agriculture, and don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about food safety and quality disputes. Mention specific experiences that relate to the job description and show us how you can contribute to our team.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be preparing reports for non-scientific clients, it's crucial to demonstrate your written communication skills. Use clear, concise language in your application and provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Minton, Treharne & Davies
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and issues in food safety and agriculture. Familiarise yourself with international standards and regulations relevant to the role, as well as any recent case studies that might come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be preparing reports for non-scientific clients, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
✨Be Ready for Real-World Scenarios
Expect situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've had to manage high-pressure situations or resolve disputes, especially in a food or agricultural context.
✨Demonstrate Your Eagerness to Learn
MTD values candidates who are keen to develop their skills. Be prepared to discuss how you stay updated in your field and express your enthusiasm for training opportunities, especially those involving hands-on experience in the lab or on-site.
