Microbiology : Job Prospects & Career Options

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Due to the advancement in the field of science and technology, the scope of research in the field of microbiology has widened. As a result, people who have studied science as the main subject opt for building their career in the field of microbiology. A Career in microbiology can be a lucrative option in India as well as abroad. Numerous institutions all over India and abroad offer degree programs at under graduate as well as at post graduate levels in the field of microbiology. While a Ph.D or master's degree is required for Research & Development positions, Bachelor degree holders have employment potential as laboratory technicians, aids to biological scientists or as biology teachers.

Microbiologists work in almost every industry and have many different responsibilities. Microbiologists find jobs in many places like research and development laboratories of government and private hospitals, research organisations, pharmaceutical, food, beverage and chemical industries. Universities, research institutes and industrial companies employ microbiologists to do basic, environmental, healthcare and agricultural research. Medical microbiologists also work in hospitals and Health Protection Agency laboratories. Industrial microbiologists work in a range of companies – from big pharmaceutical, biochemical, biotechnology and food businesses through to smaller firms that develop biopharmaceuticals or specialist products.

A large number of students go abroad to pursue Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral studies after getting scholarships through GRE or TOEFL. After completion of Ph.D. they are usually employed by foreign Universities or Research and Development (R&D) wings of major Pharmaceutical Companies. Microbiologists work in many UK bioscience and food companies. They carry out research and develop new products or work in quality control to monitor manufacturing processes and check the microbiological safety of goods such as medicines, cosmetics, toiletries, biochemicals and food and drink.

Microbiologists can also become faculty members in Universities, Colleges or teachers in Schools, etc. For college teaching, a master's degree may be acceptable along with qualification of CSIR – NET, but a doctorate opens more avenues. Teaching and research at the university level and high level employment with good promotion prospects in non-academic research institutes, private industry and government agencies usually require a Ph.D.

Self employment is also a very good option for microbiologists to start their professional career. They can set up microbiological laboratories of their own and can help in diagnosing the disease and researchers to direct their own research. There are large, private research institutes that conduct Microbiological/ epidemiological studies for Government agencies where there is a sudden outbreak of any epidemic disease.

The career opportunities to choose from as a microbiologist will depend on the level of education and training you receive. Some of the career options available to microbiologists are as follows:

Medical Microbiologists: Medical microbiologists study the role played by micro-organisms in inflicting diseases in humans and animals. They research and investigate these organisms to find ways to cure and prevent, occurrence of these diseases. Scientist in these areas perform research on vaccines, antiserums and products of biological origin.

Public Health Microbiologist: It is clearly related to medical microbiology. Public health micro-biologist tries to control the spread of communicable diseases. They often monitor community food establishments and water supplies in an attempt to keep them safe and free from infectious disease agents, and ensure the proper disposal of sewage.

Bacteriologists : Work in the field of bacteriology and study bacteria.

Agricultural Microbiologist: Agricultural microbiologists study plant diseases, the role of micro-organisms in soil fertility and spoilage of farm products.

Industrial Microbiologists: Industrial microbiologists work with industries producing products such as alcoholic beverages, amino acids, citric acids, Vitamin C and antibiotics etc. with the help of micro-organisms.

Marine Microbiologists: Marine microbiologists deals with the micro-organisms present in the ocean. It is a relatively new division of microbiology and promises to be an exciting one.

Environmental Microbiologists : Work in the field of environmental science and study microbial processes in the environment.

Food Microbiologists : Work in the food industry and study microorganisms that cause foodborne illness and spoilage. Scientists working in food and dairy microbiology try to prevent microbial spoilage of food and the transmission of food borne diseases such as botulism and salmonellosis. They also use micro-organisms to make foods such as cheese, yoghurts, Single Cell Protein (SCP), pickles, wine and beer. In the future micro-organisms may become a more important nutrient source for livestock and humans.

Mycologists : work in the field of mycology and study fungi.

Protozoologists : work in the field of protozoology and study protists.

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

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

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).

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.

General Microbiologists: General microbiology focuses on the fundamentals and basic features of micro-organisms including ecology, metabolism, genetics, physiology and structure.