Editing Microbiologist

{{Short description|Person who investigates the characteristics of microscopic organisms}}
{{For|the magazine|Microbiologist (magazine)}}
{{Infobox occupation
| name               = Microbiologist

| image              = [[Image:USDA ARS ERRC.jpg|200px|]]
| caption            = Microbiologists examining cultures on a [[Petri dish]]
| official_names     = 
| type               = 
| activity_sector    = [[Biotechnology]], [[Government]], [[Research]], [[Natural environment|Environmental]], [[Academia]] 
| competencies       = 
| formation          = 
| employment_field   =
| related_occupation = [[Scientist]], [[Educator]]
}}

A '''microbiologist''' (from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{lang|grc|μῑκρος}}) is a [[scientist]] who studies [[microscopic]] life forms and processes. This includes study of the growth, interactions and characteristics of [[Microorganism|microscopic organisms]] such as [[bacteria]], [[algae]], [[fungi]], and some types of parasites and their vectors.<ref name=BLSwhat>{{cite web|title=What Microbiologists Do |publisher=Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labaor |website=Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition |url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/microbiologists.htm#tab-2 |access-date=11 October 2017}}</ref> Most microbiologists work in offices and/or research facilities, both in private [[biotechnology]] companies and in [[academia]]. Most microbiologists specialize in a given topic within [[microbiology]] such as [[bacteriology]], [[parasitology]], [[virology]], or [[immunology]].

== Duties ==
Microbiologists generally work in some way to increase scientific knowledge or to utilise that knowledge in a way that improves outcomes in medicine or some industry. For many microbiologists, this work includes planning and conducting experimental research projects in some kind of [[laboratory]] setting.<ref name=BLSwhat/> Others may have a more administrative role, supervising scientists and evaluating their results. Microbiologists working in the medical field, such as [[clinical microbiology|clinical microbiologists]], may see patients or patient samples and do various tests to detect [[pathogen|disease-causing organisms]].<ref name=BLSwhat/>

For microbiologists working in academia, duties include performing research in an academic laboratory, writing [[grant (money)|grant proposals]] to fund research, as well as some amount of teaching and designing courses.<ref name=ASM>{{cite web|title=Careers in Microbiology |publisher=American Society for Microbiology |url=https://www.asm.org/images/Membership/Careers_Website/Membership/Careers_in_Microbiology_PRINT_Letter_size.pdf |access-date=11 October 2017}}</ref> Microbiologists in industry roles may have similar duties except research is performed in industrial labs in order to develop or improve commercial products and processes. Industry jobs may also not include some degree of sales and marketing work, as well as regulatory compliance duties. Microbiologists working in government may have a variety of duties, including laboratory research, writing and advising, developing and reviewing regulatory processes, and overseeing grants offered to outside institutions.<ref name=ASM/> Some microbiologists work in the field of [[patent law]], either with national patent offices or private law practices. Her duties include research and navigation of [[intellectual property]] regulations.<ref name=ASM/> Clinical microbiologists tend to work in government or hospital laboratories where their duties include analyzing clinical specimens to detect microorganisms responsible for the disease. Some microbiologists instead work in the field of [[science outreach]], where they develop programs and materials to educate students and non-scientists and encourage interest in the field of microbiology for the younger generation
.<ref name=ASM/>

== Education ==
Entry-level microbiology jobs generally require at least a [[bachelor's degree]] in microbiology or a related field.<ref name=BLShow>{{cite web|title=How to Become a Microbiologist |publisher=Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labaor |website=Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition |url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/microbiologists.htm#tab-4 |access-date=11 October 2017}}</ref> These degree programs frequently include courses in [[chemistry]], [[physics]], [[statistics]], [[biochemistry]], and [[genetics]], followed by more specialized courses in sub-fields of interest. Many of these courses have laboratory components to teach trainees basic and specialized laboratory skills.<ref name=BLShow/>

Higher-level and independent jobs like a clinical/Medical Microbiologist in a hospital  or medical research centre generally require a Masters in Microbiology along with [[PhD]] in any of the life-sciences ([[Biochemistry|Biochem]], Micro, Biotech, Genetics, etc) as well as several years experience as a microbiologist. This often includes time spent as a [[postdoctoral researcher]] wherein one leads research projects and prepares to transition to an independent career. Postdoctoral researchers are often evaluated largely based on their record of published [[academic paper]]s, as well as recommendations from their supervisors and colleagues.<ref name=BLShow/>

In certain sub-fields of microbiology, [[license]]s or [[certification]]s are available or required in order to qualify for certain positions. This is true for clinical microbiologists, as well as those involved in food safety and some aspects of pharmaceutical/medical device development.<ref name=BLShow/>

== Job outlook ==
Microbiologists are expected to be needed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies develop new drugs that are produced with the aid of microorganisms. In addition, demand for biofuels production is expected to increase the need for microbiologists to conduct advanced research and development in these areas.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Microbiologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/microbiologists.htm#tab-6 |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=www.bls.gov |language=en-us}}</ref>

In the [[United States]], the [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] predicts that employment of microbiologists will grow 5 percent from 2022 (20,900 employed) to 2032 (22,000 employed). This represents slower growth than the average occupation, as well as slower growth than life scientists as a whole (7 percent projected).<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
* [[Bacteriologist]]
* [[List of microbiologists]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Microbiologists}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Microbiologists| ]]
[[Category:Science occupations]]
[[Category:Microbiology|*]]