What You'll Do

  • Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
  • Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
  • Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
  • Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
  • Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
  • Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
  • Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
  • Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
  • Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes.

Essential Skills

Science 4.62/5
Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Writing 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Active Learning 3.88/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.75/5
Learning Strategies 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.62/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.62/5
Mathematics 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Integrity, Analytical Thinking, Initiative

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Written Comprehension 4.25/5
Written Expression 4.12/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Category Flexibility 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Assistant Software for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Interpretation ASASI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST BD Biosciences CellQuest BD Biosciences CloneCyt Bruker Optics OPUS BtB Software Mycobacteriology Lab Codon Usage Database ComBase Computer Service & Support CLS-2000 Laboratory System Computing Solutions LabSoft LIMS Micro Database management software DM2 Bills of Lading Email software FindTarget FramePlot Gene Finder Gene recognition software Genie Interactive Image capture and analysis software Laboratory information management system LIMS

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.73/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.59/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.55/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.23/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.18/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Bacteriologist Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist) Clinical Microbiologist Cytologist Electron Microscopist Medical Lab Scientist (Medical Laboratory Scientist) Medical Microbiologist Medical Technologist Microbiological Analyst Microbiologist Microbiology Analyst Microbiology Scientist Microbiology Specialist Microscopist Pharmaceutical Microbiologist Public Health Microbiologist QA Microbiologist (Quality Assurance Microbiologist) Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist) Quality Control Microbiology Analyst (QC Microbiology Analyst) Research Microbiologist Research Specialist Virologist