Ph.D. in Food Science

Thrive in a Challenging Research Environment

Our Ph.D. program is geared toward individuals with B.S. or graduate degrees in related sciences who want an in-depth research experience.

Research areas include:

Brewery and dairy fermentation
Food ingredient functionality and rheology
Genetics and beneficial effects of probiotic microbes and lactic acid bacteria on human health
Molecular mechanisms of foodborne illness and detection of foodborne bacterial and viral pathogens
Sensory and flavor chemistry of dairy and other ingredients
Thermal and aseptic processing of foods

Our faculty are routinely recognized for their research achievements and teaching accomplishments. Under their mentoring, Ph.D. students publish in prestigious peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences.

View Curriculum

Questions?

Contact, Dr. Jon Allen, the Director of Graduate Programs for Food Science.

Alumni Spotlight

Trisha Bhatia earned her Ph.D. and is now a production and quality manager at Ripe Revival. "We seek to address the growing issue of food waste and food insecurity by creating ‘better-for-you’ health foods out of excess fruits and vegetables."

Read about Trisha's journey

Future Career Pathways

A Ph.D. in Food Science can prepare you for a career as a:

Flavor chemist
Food microbiologist

Food chemist
Food processing specialist

Food engineer
Sensory scientist

This degree program has prepared me, has given me the theoretical knowledge and understanding of food science, food chemistry, food packaging, flavor chemistry. So I apply those concepts as an entrepreneur but also as a product developer

Michael Lloyd, current student

Preparing the Professoriate

Preparing the Professoriate is a nationally recognized program designed to give exceptional doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars an immersive mentoring, teaching, and future faculty preparation experience.

Learn more

Fellowships and Grants

Fellowship, traineeships, and grants are awards that require no service in return. They may be based on merit and/or financial need. Often they provide the cost of tuition and fees plus a stipend to cover living expenses.