PhD Food Technology: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

Updated on Mar 28, 2025

Dharti Bhadla

PhD Food Technology is a research-based doctorate program encompassing areas like processing, engineering, quality control, and microbiology of food products.

The course can be pursued after qualifying for an MSc Food Technology/Food Science/Food Microbiology/Food Biotechnology or equivalent Master’s degree.

Admission to PhD Food Technology is based on entrance exam (UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, or SET) merit and personal interview.
It typically takes 3 to 5 years to complete the course, depending on the university, available facilities, research topic, and designed methodology.
The course fee ranges between INR 2 to 3 lakhs for the entire duration.
MDU Rohtak, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, and Anand Agriculture University are some of the best universities offering PhD Food Technology.
With Phd Food Technology, one can explore diverse career options in research, academics, and the Food industry.

PhD Food Technology: Course Highlights

PhD Food Technology emphasises applying the fundamental principles of food that is closely related to the domain Food Science. Therefore, many universities use the PhD Food Technology and PhD in Food Science and Technology interchangeably.

The table below showcases the key highlights of the course.

Program Name	Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology
Duration	3 to 5 years
Eligibility	55% in MSc Food Technology or relevant backgrounds from a UGC recognised university. State/National level entrance exam Qualification
Admission	Based on the entrance exam score and PI Exams: UGC NET, CSIR NET, SET, GATE
Course Fee	INR 2 to 3 lakhs
Average Starting Salary	INR 4 to 7 LPA
Top Recruiting Sectors	Colleges and Universities, Quality Control Laboratories, Research Centres, Food Industries, etc.
Top Job Positions	Professor, Lecturer, Food Technologist, Nutritionist, Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Control Inspector, etc.

Why Pursue PhD Food Technology?

Pursuing PhD Food Technology can be a great choice of career for those seeking an opportunity for in-depth research and contribution in advancements in food processing, safety, and sustainability.

The course equips the aspirants with various research skills, enabling them to develop new food products, improve food safety.
One can contribute to Public Health Initiatives as food technologists play a vital role in developing healthier food options and addressing nutritional deficiencies.
During the course, one may avail prestigious fellowship from government schemes.
PhD programs always bring the opportunity to gain authorship that makes aspirants job-ready for academia.

PhD Food Technology: Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Eligibility to register in PhD Food Technology is minimum 55% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in MSc/ M.Tech from a UGC recognized university.

Candidates with backgrounds like Food Microbiology, Food Science, Food Biotechnology, Dairy Microbiology, or Food and Nutrition majors can also apply.
Selection is strictly based on merit of entrance exam and performance in PI.
Candidates are required to present the research proposal to the Doctoral Advisory Committee for further screening.

PhD Food Technology: Admission Process

Admission to PhD Food Technology is based on cut-off marks scored in any state or national level entrance exam such as UGC NET, SET, CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, and DBT.

Some universities also conduct their own entrance test and subsequent interview rounds.

The basic framework of an admission process is as follows.

Fill out the application form given on the official admission portal.
Appear in the entrance exam (those who have not qualified state or national level exams).
If qualified, appear in a personal interview or project proposal meeting.
Candidates having state or national qualification are exempted from the university-level exam. However, they have to appear for an interview.
Wait for the Committee Decision.
Institute will release the list of selected candidates.

Best Colleges for PHD Food Technology in India

There are several government and private institutes that offer the PhD Food Technology or PhD in Food Science and Technology course. Universities may consider food science and technology and food biotechnology/ food technology as the same subject area for PhD. Candidates are advised to check the available specialization beforehand.

College/ University Name	NIRF Ranking	Average Course Fee (INR)
Lovely Professional University	27 (university)	3 lakhs
Pondicherry University	101-150 (overall)	2 lakhs
Shoolini University	-	3.5 lakhs
Mysore University	54 (university)	2.5 lakhs
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University	88 (Engineering category)	2.5 lakhs
Amity University, Noida	32 (university)	3 lakhs
Amity University, Jaipur	151-200 (university)	2.5 lakhs
Harcourt Butler Technological University, Kanpur	51-100 (sate-public universities)	2 lakhs
Anand Agriculture University	23 (Agriculture and allied areas)	-
Maharshi Dayanand University	96 (overall)	-

PhD Food Technology Syllabus

PhD Food Technology emphasizes research and development for quality food products. It covers subjects like food processing, engineering, quality control, biochemistry of food, maintenance of milk products, preservation, etc.

The table below represents the syllabus followed by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur.

Paper 1 (Core compulsory subjects)	Paper 2 (Choose any one from 10 specialization)
Chemistry of Foods.	Technology of Milk and Milk Products,Technology of oils and fats, Bakery and Confectionery technology, Technology of Meat, Poultry and Fishery Products, Food Biochemistry and Nutrition, Food Microbiology, Plantation Products and Flavor Technology, Food Processing Engineering, Packaging Technology and Food Laws, Management of Food Processing Industries.
Food Analysis
Food Preservation Technology
Technology of Fruits and Vegetables

Job Prospects for PhD Food Technology

PhD Food Technology opens the doors to research, academia, and industry, with opportunities in food science, product development, quality control, and regulatory affairs.

With Phd Food Technology, one can expect earning of INR 4 to 8 LPA at entry-level positions with potential to rise up to INR 10-15 LPA based on experience and senior level roles.
The salary range depends on many factors such as job roles, type of industry, pay-scale policies, expertise, and location.

Here are some of the high-paying PhD Food Technology jobs with an average estimated salary as per the Indeed and Glassdoor analytics.

Job Profile	Job Description	Average Salary (INR)
Assistant Professor	To teach UG and PG students in university/college and to conduct research in the Food Science and Technology domain.	7-8 LPA
R&D Manager	To finalize research projects depending on the market demands. They also look after the ongoing research works.	7-9 LPA
Food Science Researcher	To research and discover new aspects of Food Preservation, Processing, and Production.	5-7 LPa
Quality Control Inspector	To verify the quality of the food and ensure the safety of edible products.	4-6 LPA
Product Development Scientist	To create new food products or improve existing ones, focusing on taste, texture, and nutritional value	10-15 LPA

FAQs

Is Food Science and Food Technology same?

No, although closely related, these two deal with different aspects of food study. The former is about the study of fundamental principles of food and nutrition. It covers the basic science of various food components at molecular level. Whereas, the latter is applying that knowledge to improve food quality, engineering of food products, and development of new food items that have nutritional values.

How do I become a Food Safety Officer after completing PhD Food Technology?

To become a Food Safety Officer, one has to qualify the recruitment exams conducted by the State PSC or the central agency, FSSAI. They conduct exams in 2 phases followed by the interview rounds.

What recruitment exam is compulsory to secure a job in a government university after PhD?

To get a government position in academics, one must have to qualify UGC NET or CSIR NET LS exam. Candidates having state level qualification (SET/SLET) can also apply for their respective states.

Is research paper publication compulsory for PhD thesis submission?

No, as per the recent UGC guidelines for PhD programs, paper publication is not mandatory for completion of PhD. One can submit the synopsis and thesis without having any publications. However, many renowned universities do ask for minimum 2 publications in order to submit the thesis.

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