PhD Food and Nutrition is a higher doctorate with a focus on higher-order research and scholarly outputs in clinical nutrition, public health, food safety, and functional foods. The candidates have the option to specialize in diverse subareas like Food Science and Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, etc.
The length of the regular full-time PhD program is three years, extendable to five years. The applicants should have at least 55% aggregate marks in MSc and a valid score in the national or state-level entrance exam, e.g., CSIR NET, GATE, or SET.
A few of the leading institutions providing this course are MSU-Baroda, Gujarat University, Amity University-Noida, and IGNOU. The fee structure depends on the nature of the institution. Semi-government or government institutions typically range from INR 20,000 to 50,000, and private universities typically can vary from INR 2 to 3 LPA. Career prospects in educational institutions, research institutes, and industry include higher salary packages between INR 5 to 8 LPA for the course completers.
- PhD Food and Nutrition Course Highlights
- What is PhD Food and Nutrition?
- Why Pursue a PhD Food and Nutrition?
- Who Should Choose PhD Food and Nutrition?
- PhD Food and Nutrition Eligibility
- PhD Food and Nutrition Entrance Exams
- PhD Food and Nutrition Top Colleges
- PhD Food and Nutrition Admission
- Syllabus for PhD Food and Nutrition
- Job Prospects for PhD Food and Nutrition
- PhD Food and Nutrition Vs PhD Food Technology
- PhD Food and Nutrition FAQs
PhD Food and Nutrition Course Highlights
The key highlights of the PhD in Food and Nutrition course are tabulated below.
What is PhD Food and Nutrition?
A PhD in Food and Nutrition is a post-graduate research degree program involving an advanced study of nutrition science, dietetics, food properties, food processing, and their effects on health and the prevention of disease conditions. The program also trains candidates to pursue any original research, continue to add knowledge in nutrition and dietetics, and contribute to progress in clinical nutrition, public health nutrition, food technology, etc.
Why Pursue a PhD Food and Nutrition?
A PhD in Food and Nutrition is a rewarding career for individuals who want to develop opportunities to carry out in-depth research, make international contributions to global health and food security, and emerge as an academic, industrial, or public health leader.
- The program qualifies the student with specialized research methods, analysis, and critical thinking skills.
- Research undertaken in this area can help address international food security issues.
- Candidates can be given a fellowship of INR 15,000 to 40,000 through different government plans.
- Throughout the course, one is able to publish research findings and reviews or book chapters.
- These publications increase the scholar's research portfolio, paving the way for an academic career.
Who Should Choose PhD Food and Nutrition?
A Food and Nutrition PhD is appropriate to students seeking a research-oriented and comprehensive professional career in nutrition science and the use of this knowledge in health, food safety, and nutritional innovation.
- People who are interested in studying human nutrition, the effects of diet on health, clinical and community nutrition, and food science.
- The students who want to opt for employment in universities, hospitals, research organizations, government, and non-government organizations as a scientist, researcher, or academician.
- Professionals who may be interested in being a nutritionist, dietitian, clinical nutritionist, public health nutritionist, or food science expert.
- Applicants interested in making a difference in health by educating on nutrition, creating nutrition policies, and developing nutritional products or intervention development.
- Individuals who want to pursue a career in leadership in food and nutrition fields, or persons who want to pursue interdisciplinary research encompassing food technology, biochemistry, and health sciences.
PhD Food and Nutrition Eligibility
To get registered in PhD Food and Nutrition, one must possess an MSc in Food Science with at least 55% or equivalent CGPA and valid scores in state/ national/ university-specific entrance test.
- Commonly accepted entrance exams are CSIR NET, and SET.
- Some universities may consider GATE or ICAR NET.
- Students with M.Tech or other equivalent degree in MTech Food Technology or Home Science can also apply for the PhD in Food and Nutrition.
- Final selection is based on performance in PI or GD rounds.
PhD Food and Nutrition Entrance Exams
The candidates need to appear and qualify for the following exams to enroll in the best Food and Nutrition PhD colleges in India. Here are the complete details.
PhD Food and Nutrition Top Colleges
PhD in Food and Nutrition is offered by several government and private institutes. Some universities consider this course under the category of Home Science. Therefore, applicants are advised to check the available specializations for their chosen institute.
Some of the best colleges for a PhD in Food and Nutrition are tabulated below.
PhD Food and Nutrition Admission
The candidates need to follow a simple admission process for the PhD in Food and Nutrition. The complete admission process at the University of Mysore is given below:
Step 1: The candidates need to meet the eligibility requirements of the course and the university.
Step 2: First, the candidates have to register themselves for the CSIR NET entrance exam and appear for the same.
Step 3: Those who pass the entrance exams are shortlisted for a personal interview/viva voice.
Step 4: The final merit list will be published by the university by including the marks of the entrance exam and interview.
Step 5: Other eligible candidates are candidates possessing recognised fellowships such as CSIR/UGC JRF, RGNF, MANF, DBT, ICMR, etc.
Step 6: The selected candidates will be called for the document verification process.
Step 7: Once the document verification process is completed, the candidates need to pay the course fee.
Syllabus for PhD Food and Nutrition
PhD Food and Nutrition is a research-based program covering coursework, research, data analysis, presentation, publication, seminars, and thesis submission in the final year.
The table below represents the PhD Food and Nutrition syllabus followed by Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth.
Job Prospects for PhD Food and Nutrition
With a PhD in Food and Nutrition, one can explore diverse career options like Academia, Research and Development, the Food industry, or the Healthcare sector.
PhD Food and Nutrition Vs PhD Food Technology
PhDs in Food and Nutrition focus on the study of the human body, nutrition, metabolism and the effectiveness of nutrients in preventing disease and its treatment, thus are perfectly suited to nutrition research, clinical dietetics and public health. Whereas PhD Food Technology deals with food processing, production, preservation, safety, and packaging technologies as the focus area, and addressing careers in the food sector, quality assurance, product development, etc.
PhD Food and Nutrition FAQs
What is the scope of a PhD in Food and Nutrition?
PhD Food and Nutrition leads to diverse career opportunities from researcher to industry professionals. It offers a platform to contribute to the creation of new dietary guidelines, nutritional knowledge, and public health regulations. One can find employment in hospitals, private clinics or fitness centers, regulatory agencies, research firms, food industries, or universities.
Is PhD valid without NET?
Yes, having a NET qualification is important, but not compulsory for PhD. NET qualified candidates easily get admission to PhD programs as compared to those without NET. For completion of PhD, NET is not required. However, one must qualify NET to secure a job in government university.
What is the salary of PhD in food and nutrition?
PhD in Food and Nutrition salary in India is around INR 4 to 6 LPA to fresh ones and around INR 7 to 8 LPA or higher to an experienced one in a good institute. The employment opportunities after a PhD are assistant professor, research fellow, product development scientist, and food safety officer with recruiting companies of universities, food industries, healthcare, and health consultancy.
What is the qualification for PhD in food and nutrition in India?
A Master of Science (MSc) degree in Food Science and Nutrition, Nutrition & Dietetics, or other related biological science discipline, with a minimum of 55% marks typically, is the most common eligibility criterion to enroll in a PhD Food and Nutrition. There are also national or state-level entrance exams e.g., UGC NET, CSIR NET, or SET, which require candidates to qualify, and then selection is typically done based on a personal interview.
