Microbiologists :: Job Description

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Microbiologists

Careers / Microbiologists

Summary Description


	Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Bacteriologist

2.	Chemist

3.	Clinical Laboratory Scientist

4.	Clinical Microbiologist

5.	Cytologist

6.	Electron Microscopist

7.	Medical Laboratory Technician

8.	Medical Microbiologist

9.	Medical Technologist

10.	Microbiological Analyst

11.	Microbiological Laboratory Technician

12.	Microbiologist

13.	Microbiology Analyst

14.	Microbiology Laboratory Director

15.	Microbiology Laboratory Manager

16.	Microbiology Supervisor

17.	Microscopist

18.	Mycobacteria and Brucella Laboratory Head

19.	Physical Scientist

20.	Professor of Microbiology

21.	Public Health Microbiologist

22.	Public Health Microbiology Laboratory Director

23.	Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist)

24.	Research Microbiologist

25.	Study Director

26.	Virologist

27.	Virology Director

Job Tasks

	Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms. Research diseases or parasites.

	Prepare technical reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes. Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.

	Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists. Supervise scientific or technical personnel.

	Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection. Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities. Inspect condition of natural environments.

	Provide laboratory services for health departments, for community environmental health programs and for physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment. Analyze biological samples.

	Use a variety of specialized equipment such as electron microscopes, gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters and phosphoimagers. Operate laboratory or field equipment.

	Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens. Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior. Analyze biological samples.

	Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health. Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures.

	Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition. Cultivate micro-organisms for study, testing, or medical preparations. Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.

	Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter. Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.

	Study the structure and function of human, animal and plant tissues, cells, pathogens and toxins. Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures.

	Develop new products and procedures for sterilization, food and pharmaceutical supply preservation, or microbial contamination detection. Develop new or advanced products or production methods.

	Research use of bacteria and microorganisms to develop vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids, grain alcohol, sugars, and polymers. Develop new or advanced products or production methods.

	Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes. Analyze chemical compounds or substances.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Microbiologists
	Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites. They try to understand how these organisms live, grow, and interact with their environments.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Microbiologists
	Microbiologists work in laboratories and offices, where they conduct scientific experiments and analyze the results. Most microbiologists work full time and keep regular hours.

	Read More >>

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