Microbiology overlays with other areas of biology such as genetics, molecular biology and immunology. In various sectors, microbiologists have their own important role to play. Typical employers include:
-
healthcare establishments
-
public health organizations
-
environmental organizations
-
industry
-
forensic science laboratories
-
publicly funded research organizations
-
higher education institutions.
Let’s discuss in brief how depending on the specialization what job roles microbiologists get.
-
Medical microbiologists: Medical microbiologist studies the role of microorganisms in causing several diseases in both humans as well as animals. They do comprehensive studies on these organisms to find out ways for curing and preventing the occurrence of diseases.
-
Public health microbiologists: It is directly related to medical microbiology and is responsible for controlling the communicable disease spread in public. Their main responsibilities are to monitor the water supplies, food establishments and try to keep them safe from disease spreading agents and also ensure proper sewage disposal.
-
Bacteriologists: Bacteriologist work for bacteriology ground and do an extensive study on bacteria.
-
Agricultural microbiologist: A agricultural microbiologist is responsible for studying and working on plant diseases, the role of microorganisms in fertility of soil, farm products spoilage etc.
-
Industrial microbiologists: A industrial microbiologist works deals with industries producing products like alcoholic beverages, vitamin C, antibiotics etc.
-
Marine microbiologists: Although it is a new division of microbiology but still very promising where people deal with various microorganism present in oceans.
-
Environmental microbiologists: Work on the environmental process in the environment.
-
Food microbiologists: Mostly deal with the microorganisms that are responsible for causing food born illness. Their main aim is to stop food spoilage and various food transmission diseases like salmonellosis.
-
Mycologist work in the field of fungus and mycology
-
Immunologists perform a various investigation on the defense system of the body.
-
Parasitologists are responsible for investigating the complicated life cycle and the organism’s adaptations.
Now let’s discuss how based on degree a microbiologist gets various kinds of job:
If you possess an undergraduate degree in microbiology then you get the opportunity to work in pathology labs and science laboratories as well. Other than that, you can also work in some units like
-
Food processing companies
-
Agricultural companies
-
Pharmaceutical companies
-
Dairy Industries
-
Biochemical Plant
-
Water Processing Plants
-
Then if you possess a post-graduate degree in microbiology variable ways open up for you like
-
Teaching in college/universities,
-
Junior / senior research fellow,
-
Research posts in ICAR / CSIR labs
-
Microbiologist post in dairy industries, breweries, food Processing Beverage industries, Industries, pathology labs, agriculture, quality assurance divisions in industries,
-
Self Employed (Establishing small-scale industries – production of non-alcoholic fruit beverages, mushroom production).
-
Otherwise, after post-graduation, you can go for further studies like PhD.
If you will get a doctoral degree in microbiology then you can easily hold a good position in medical and scientific research because of their practical experience.
Many microbiologists are getting jobs at various levels of government. For some positions, they also not require a PhD. Some other places where a PhD holder in microbiology can work are:
-
Healthcare – A PhD holder in microbiology can easily become a clinical microbiologist and deal with bacteria, virus, fungi and other parasite causing infection. They play a very important role in identifying novel infectious agents.
-
Legal – There is a high demand for microbiologists in the legal field where they are involved in patent law and technology transfer.
-
Higher position in several industries.
But it is true that for getting a good job after completing PhD in microbiology but possessing proper skills help in the faster process
-
pay a range of analytical, demo and examination techniques.
-
prepare, interpret and present data, using statistical programmes, qualitative and quantitative techniques and spreadsheets
-
comportment literature searches and judgmentally evaluate information
-
assume practical laboratory investigations in a safe, responsible and ethical manner
-
application of scientific thought and approaches.
-
Other general skills like flexibility in approaching work.
-
Problem-solving skills
-
Effective communication.
Thus, there is plenty of opportunities for an individual with a microbiology degree.
