Careers in Alt Proteins

Careers in Alt Proteins

Science & Research

Pathways: Graduate school, industry R&D roles, academic research labs, startups.

  1. Food Science & Biochemistry – Improve taste, texture, and nutrition of plant-based and cultivated products.

  1. Cellular Agriculture & Tissue Engineering – Develop scalable methods for cultivated meat.

  2. Fermentation & Microbiology – Engineer microbes to produce proteins, fats, and flavors.

  3. Agricultural Science – Breed high-protein crops, optimize soil health, and reduce inputs.

  4. Computational Biology & Data Science – Use modeling and AI to optimize bioprocesses.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Pathways: Business internships, accelerators, consulting, food/biotech industry roles.

  1. Startup Founder / Operator – Launch new alt protein companies.

  2. Operations & Strategy – Build scaling roadmaps for growing companies.

  3. Finance & Investment – Work in VC, private equity, or impact investing focused on sustainable food.

  4. Marketing & Communications – Shape narratives that drive consumer adoption.

  5. Supply Chain & Manufacturing – Develop resilient, sustainable production systems.

Policy & Advocacy

Pathways: Public policy degrees, government internships, nonprofit roles, fellowships.

  1. Food Policy & Regulation – Work with government agencies on approvals, labeling, and safety standards.

  2. Nonprofits & Advocacy Orgs – Advance sustainable diets and equitable food systems.

  3. International Development – Address food security and climate goals through protein diversification.

  4. Think Tanks & Research Institutes – Analyze and recommend strategies for global protein transition.

Education & Community Building

Pathways: Teaching, outreach, nonprofit communications, media.

  1. University Programs – Develop courses and lead research initiatives.

  2. Student & Grassroots Organizing – Build communities around food systems change.

  3. Science Communication & Journalism – Translate complex research into accessible stories.

  4. Corporate Training & Education – Equip the food workforce with future-ready skills.

Cross-Cutting Fields

Pathways: Public policy degrees, government internships, nonprofit roles, fellowships.

  1. Climate Tech & Sustainability – Connect alternative proteins to carbon reduction strategies.

  2. Public Health & Nutrition – Study how protein diversification impacts human health.

  3. Equity & Food Justice – Ensure inclusive, affordable, and culturally relevant solutions.

  4. Law & Intellectual Property – Protect innovations and navigate regulatory frameworks.

Make it your own