Job profile: Colour technologist
Colour technologists are involved in most sectors of the manufacturing industry, from cars to cosmetics.
Job description - Colour technologist |
| Colour technologists produce dyes and pigments for the colouration of traditional products such as textiles, paper, cosmetics and foodstuffs. They also develop high technology dyes for applications in dye lasers, liquid crystal displays, fraud prevention and ink-jet printers. They are responsible for the interpretation of colour and the translation of this to the finished product ensuring quality and reproducibility. They can also be involved in manufacture, application, shade matching or marketing. Colour scientists develop highly sensitive dyes for biomedical applications such as histology, fluorescent staining and assaying proteins and nucleic acids. They may also study associations between perception and colour, for instance for marketing purposes. |
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| What are the routes in? |
| Relevant degree/HND subjects include physical/mathematical/applied science and engineering.An honours degree may be sought by some employers and relevant industrial experience would be an advantage.There are also postgraduate courses in aspects of colour technology for those with little or no coverage within their prior studies. A PhD is often required for research positions. Pre-entry experience is not needed but any work experience in an appropriate environment would be an advantage. |
| Career structures will vary with employers. Initially, graduates will work in hands-on functions to gain an understanding of the technical nature of the work. Alternatively, technologists may choose to become consultants, or form their own specialist companies once they have a few years' technical and management experience.Technologists can also move into production, quality control, marketing, technical sales or research and development.Career development in international companies may depend on being prepared to take on projects or secondments overseas. In smaller companies or departments, career progression can depend on availability of senior posts, so it may be necessary to change employer to secure promotion. |
| What is the work like? |
| Colour technologists are largely based at one office or laboratory site, but their work can involve travelling to clients or other departments to discuss tests or report on results. Technologists are expected to work 9 to 5. However, deadlines or special projects will require longer hours, sometimes at short notice. Shifts are common in manufacturing, and you may need to work occasional shifts to monitor production.Many of the larger dye and pigment manufacturers are international companies so travel to other company sites for meetings or secondments is a common feature of the work.Part-time work is possible. Self-employment and freelance is also possible depending on experience. |
