What Are My Options?

Microbiologists can specialize in a variety of areas. From the food to the space industries, and everywhere in between, there are many opportunities for microbiologists! The following is a partial list of descriptions of some of the many career options available to microbiologists.

Bacteriologist:
Seek to answer basic questions about bacterial growth, metabolism, diversity and evolution.

Biochemist:
Discover and teach us how organisms obtain energy, consume nutrients and reproduce.

Biotechnologist:
Manipulate genes in order to modify microorganisms. Their work produced novel organisms that make new products for human use. (i.e. insulin, medicine, grocery store items).

Cell Biologists:
Explore the actions of molecules on and in the cell. Their investigations determine how microorganisms and cell function.

Clinical Microbiologist:
Determine the cause of infections in humans and animals and what antimicrobials may be effective for treatment. They play a central role in the detection of new infectious agents.

Environmental Scientists:
Investigate the effects of biological, chemical, and geophysical activity on the environment. Their studies provide information necessary for helping humanity cope with the consequences of life.

Geneticists:
The language of life is written with four letters, A, C, G, and T. Each letter taken by itself is meaningless. But together the letter create a code of life. Geneticists study the process by which organisms inherit and transmit genetic information.

Immunologists:
Investigate the body's defense against disease. to answer basic questions about bacterial growth, metabolism, diversity and evolution.

Mycologist:
Explore the various uses of molds and yeasts for the production of antibiotics as well as food.

Parasitologists:
Investigate the complex life cycles of and adaptations made by organisms which depend on other organisms for survival.

Science Writer:
Write articles for the general public as well as for microbiology professionals. They must have a thorough understanding of language, grammar and science.

Teachers:
Educate students about the usefulness and uniqueness of microorganisms.

Virologists:
Study viruses and bacteriophages. Virologists are interested in how viruses change and are always on the alert for new types.