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Microbiologists are biological scientists who research microorganisms in order to understand how they affect our lives and how we can exploit them. They conduct research, document their findings, write reports and research papers, and supervise laboratory staff.
To ensure success, microbiologists should have meticulous attention to detail and display a keen interest in treating and preventing diseases that are harmful to humans and the environment. Top candidates will be logical thinkers who have superb problem-solving skills, wonderful observation skills and are highly proficient in math.
You can enter a Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor's of the Arts (B.A.) degree program straight out of high school or after completing an Associate Degree (many Bachelor's programs will accept transfer students and course credits from an Associate degree program at an affiliated 2-year college). Bachelor's degree programs typically take 4 years of full-time study. With a Bachelor's Degree, you can work as a microbiologist in many different contexts.
| Food, agricultural or environmental laboratory scientist/technologist | Perform established, well-validated tests on water, food, agricultural and environmental samples to detect different types of microbes. Must be precise and pay attention to detail so that test results are accurate. May also participate in reporting test results to others outside of the lab. |
| Public health, clinical or veterinary laboratory scientist/technologist | Perform established, well-validated tests on human and animal samples to detect disease-causing microbes. Certification, such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology's Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP MLS) certification, may be required or preferred. |
| Research associate | Key player on research teams, who provides technical support to ongoing research projects and carries out experiments designed by more senior researchers. May be assigned to a single research project or to a set of related techniques across projects, such as maintaining all of the lab's cell cultures. |
| Quality assurance/control scientist | Perform tests on products, such as measuring microbe contaminants, to ensure the products meet safety and quality standards. |
| Biosafety specialist | Inspect laboratories and related facilities to ensure the space and the practices of those using the space adhere to state and federal regulations for safety, occupational and environmental health. Act as a resource for colleagues seeking guidance on occupational or environmental health concerns. Provide safety training to laboratory personnel. |
These positions can be found across many different sectors, including at colleges and universities, hospitals, government agencies and commercial companies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, the 2015 median salary for these positions was around $65,000/year.
A Master's of the Arts (M.A.) or a Master's of Science (M.S.) degree can be earned after successfully earning a Bachelor's Degree. Master's degree programs typically take 1-2 years to complete, and some are designed to allow students to work full-time while enrolled in the program.
| Clinical or research laboratory manager | Manage day-to-day activities in a clinical or research laboratory. Train laboratory personnel in experimental techniques, maintain lab inventories and equipment, supervise junior staff (technicians, technologists and assistants/associates). Clinical laboratory manager positions typically require certification. |
| Biosafety officer | Plan, develop and manage biosafety programs, including training for laboratory personnel, assessing biosafety risks of particular projects, inspecting laboratories for compliance with biosafety standards, responding to biosafety emergencies and making recommendations to improve safety and environmental and occupational health. |
| Instructor/laboratory coordinator | Teach classroom and/or laboratory courses at community colleges or 4-year colleges and universities. Participate in course development, faculty meetings, accreditation processes and advise students. |
Note that at U.S. institutions, you do NOT need to complete a Master's Degree before pursuing a Doctoral Degree or a Medical Degree. However, you do need to complete a Bachelor's Degree.
Microbiologists typically pursue Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or combined M.D.-Ph.D. degrees. An M.D. requires completion of 4 years of medical school (full time), as well as passing licensing exams. Practicing doctors must complete at least 1 additional year of internship training (also known as the 1st year of residency) and pass a final licensing exam. At this point in training, a medical doctor is considered a general practitioner (GP). Many medical doctors go on to complete additional years of residency in a specialty (for example, pediatrics) and sit for board exams to become licensed in that specialty.
A Ph.D. typically requires 1-2 years of coursework, followed by the completion of a thesis project based on original scientific research. Total time to completion can range from 3-8 years (full time). Unlike medical students, Ph.D. students typically do not pay tuition and in fact, most earn a stipend based on research or teaching responsibilities. After completing a Ph.D., some people, especially those who want to pursue a research career, work as a Postdoctoral Fellow (aka Postdoctoral Research Associate) for 2-5 years for additional training. Postdocs develop original scientific research under the mentorship of a Principal Investigator or Professor.
A Doctoral or Medical Degree is almost always required for higher-level positions in microbiology. With these degrees, you will be able to perform independent research, teach undergraduate and graduate students and assume executive-level responsibilities.
| Research scientist | Senior member of a research laboratory. Write grant/project proposals, design and carry out experiments, analyze data and publish the results. Train students and laboratory personnel. |
| University/college professor | Head of a research laboratory, responsible for guiding and securing funding for lab projects and personnel (including themselves). Teach undergraduate and/or graduate classes, train and mentor students and postdocs who are doing research, serve on faculty committees. |
| Principal investigator | Equivalent of a professor, but at a government agency, non-profit research institution or for-profit company. Typically does not teach classes, but may mentor graduate students and postdocs. |
| Consultant | Works either freelance or as part of a consulting firm. Prepare reports on the state of scientific fields, companies in a particular market or emerging issues in science and advise client organizations, such as businesses or foundations. |
| Clinical laboratory director | Head of a clinical laboratory. Consult with healthcare providers, evaluate and implement new diagnostic tests or testing procedures, maintain laboratory accreditation, oversee overall laboratory operation. |
| Research director | Lead a research program either at a company or at a government agency. Determine direction and priorities of the program and direct efforts of research personnel and laboratories. |
| University/college administrator | Responsibility for a particular set of academic departments (dean) or an aspect of the administration, such as admissions (vice president). Reduced or no teaching and research responsibilities. |
| Corporate executive | Oversee part or all of a company. Guide overall company strategy and determine what products are brought to market. No direct research responsibilities. |
| Government science advisor/administrator | Lead regulatory and disease surveillance programs concerned with product safety and public health. Make recommendations that influence laws, regulations and public policy. |
| Career in Microbiology | Average Salary per annum | |
| Immunologist | 15,50,000 INR | |
| Mycologist | 4,33,536 INR | |
| Pharmacologist | 8,00,000 INR | |
| Microbiologist | 3,12,740 INR | |
| Biomedical scientist | 5,81,325 INR | |
| Professor | 4,30,797 INR | |
| Water quality laboratory technician | 1,83,126 INR | |
| Food technologist/Scientist | 7,50,000 INR | |
| Cosmetic Scientists | 4,70,400 INR | |
| Clinical Research Associate | 3,44,254 INR | |
| Sales or technical representative | 4,30,000 INR | |
| Research assistant | 3,73,000 INR | |
| Clinical and veterinary Microbiologist | 6,75,078 INR | |
| Quality assurance technologists | 5, 54,000 INR |
| Good salary (median salary was about $67,790 in May 2014)* |
| Choice of multiple disciplines to specialize in (such as bacteriology and immunology)* |
| Microbiologists can work in variety of industries (research, education, food)** |
| Possible health risk through exposure to dangerous organisms* |
| Depending on your career goals, you may be in school for ten years (total years for undergraduate and doctorate studies)* |
| Graduate school costs and repayments may initially offset benefit of salary (Tuition and fees could exceed $20,000 for each year in a graduate program)*** |
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