What Do They Do?	Education
Specialization	Where They Work?
Skills	Job Outlook
Institutes

What Do They Do?

The universe of microscopic life is vast and varied, and although the creatures that inhabit it are invisible to the naked eye, their effect on our health and environment is significant and far-reaching. Microbiologists are the scientists who study these tiny organisms and cells that we can only see with a microscope.


Microbiology is a large field with many areas of specialization. Some microbiologists specialize in microbes that cause diseases, discovering how these diseases spread, and figuring out ways to cure them. Others study microorganisms found in food to make sure what we eat is safe and healthy. Others study living cells. Many work in the pharmaceutical industry, developing new medicines, and some microbiologists do other kinds of medical research.


Microbiologists work in many industries, including agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, government, and public health. They hold a variety of job titles.


Many work as associate or assistant scientists or researchers doing the routine work of running experiments. Others are senior scientists or project managers who lead experiments, supervise lab workers, interpret data, and develop new theories and experiments.


Microbiologists also work as quality assurance specialists in companies that manufacture goods food, pharmaceuticals, or products created by biotechnology. Still others are college professors, grant-writers, or salespeople for pharmaceutical companies. Some microbiologists travel all over the world to collect and study rare microbes, while others spend most of their day in a lab.


Microbiologists often describe themselves as detectives who investigate in the microscopic world--a world that holds much wonder and mystery. They enjoy the challenge of exploring a world most people can’t even see. And microbiologists who prevent and counter epidemics, find ways to pollution, or apply their understanding of microbes in other ways that improve people’s quality of life value the working in a field that contributes to the good of people all over the world.