MICROBIOLOGIST JOB

Microbiologists study microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa. They focus on their ecology, their survival strategies, how they affect us and how we can exploit them. Microbes affect every aspect of life on earth and, consequently, microbiologists work in a wide variety of settings, although the majority of work is laboratory-based. Microbiologists work with pure cultures. They are concerned with: observing, identifying and monitoring microbes.

Developing new techniques, products and processes, quality control and identifying contamination. Areas of specialism include: basic research; medicine; healthcare; food industry, such as pharmaceuticals, toiletries and biotechnology agriculture and the environment. Typical work activities include: monitoring and assessing samples from a range of sources, using a variety of identification methods to test samples.

And tracking the development of specific micro-organisms in the environment, developing and planning methods to prevent the spread of disease, tracing, monitoring and eliminating infections, developing products, such as enzymes, vitamins, hormones, antibiotics and antimicrobials, planning, implementing and evaluating new products in clinical trials, developing and registering new medicines, vaccines, diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical products.

Microbiologists may also undertake activities in the office, and elsewhere, depending on the field in which they work, which may include: planning and organizing resources and activities, collecting samples from different types of sites, such as agricultural areas, checking food and drink manufacturing processes for signs of contamination, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, keeping up with new research, and attending conferences and other events.