Also called: Mycelium Biomaterials Scientist, Fungal Materials Engineer
Grows mushroom roots (mycelium) into packaging, leather-like fabric, building panels and foam that can replace plastic.
Mixes fungus with hemp scraps in molds, controls heat and humidity so the mycelium binds them into a solid foam, then tests strength and how fast it composts. Another batch grows into thin sheets you tan into a leather substitute. You tweak the strain, recipe and drying to make it stronger and cheaper.
Estimate; startup pay varies.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's or master's in biology, materials science or bioengineering; lead roles often need a PhD.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Materials Science, Bioengineering, Biology.
Growing faster than average. Interest in plastic alternatives is growing, though startups are risky.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps plan experiments, but growing fungi and testing materials stays hands-on lab work.
Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Engineering or design.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.