What does a microbiologist do?
Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.
Microbiologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real microbiologist resumes:
- Establish a DNA fingerprinting lab to aid in bacterial food borne disease investigations and manage it for ten years.
- Manage external contract labs for GLP testing, prepare documentation for regulatory approval.
- Job duties begin in a general microbiology/ infectious disease laboratory focuse on cultivating and managing infectious strains of microbes.
- Perform biochemical tests for the detection of communicable disease agents including tuberculosis, HIV, and other sexually transmit diseases.
- Receive and log samples in LIMS as well as compiled work batches, QC sheets and data reports.
- Utilize various real time PCR and DNA extraction technologies to identify and characterize various biological agents and infectious diseases.
- Improve and optimize preservative testing, microbial limits, bioburden, and environmental testing using ASTM and USP guidelines and protocols.
- Perform growth promotion, microbial limit testing, antimicrobial effectiveness testing, bioburden and water testing.
- Cross train to provide support in chemistry lab.
- Experience in molecular biology to include PCR and RT-PCR.
- Conduct oversight of daily network operations and LRN help desk.
- Act as SME for all device packaging changes for integration to Stryker.
- Experience with IQ, OQ, and PQ of pharmaceutical equipment and systems.
- Used standard laboratory equipment such as pipettes, centrifuges, incubators, and autoclave.
- Develop thorough understanding of EPA label claims and how they apply and are obtain.
Microbiologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Microbiologists are proficient in Lab Equipment, Microbiology Lab, and Environmental Monitoring. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Technical skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Microbiologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lab Equipment, 9%
Operated lab equipment to include dissection microscope, dissolved oxygen and conductivity meters.
- Microbiology Lab, 7%
Developed and implemented microbiology laboratory manual.
- Environmental Monitoring, 7%
Conduct environmental monitoring on manufacturing facility.
- Test Methods, 6%
Participate in the internal audits on Microbiology test methods and activities to confirm compliance and to identify improvement opportunities.
- GMP, 5%
Performed sterility testing on materials used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical grade radioisotopes and therapeutic products under GMP Guidelines.
- Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Developed and wrote self-instructional units for Medical Technology students and provided training to Medical Residents in laboratory procedures and infectious diseases.
Common skills that a microbiologist uses to do their job include "lab equipment," "microbiology lab," and "environmental monitoring." You can find details on the most important microbiologist responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. microbiologists are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to microbiologist responsibilities, because "microbiologists must be able to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." A microbiologist resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "detailed laboratory notes were taken during each experiment, especially during glp compliant studies. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what microbiologists do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to microbiologist responsibilities because "microbiologists use scientific experiments and analysis to find solutions to complex scientific problems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical microbiologist tasks: "set up bacterial endotoxin (lal) testing program for vascular solutions products. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a microbiologist to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what microbiologists relies on this skill, since "microbiologists usually need to meet deadlines when conducting research and laboratory tests." How this skill relates to microbiologist duties can be seen in an example from a microbiologist resume snippet: "reduced microorganism identification times and additional biological test, with vitek instrumentation. "
Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on microbiologist job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in microbiologist duties, since "microbiologists should be able to effectively communicate their research processes and findings so that knowledge may be applied correctly." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day microbiologist responsibilities: "prepare complete, accurate, concise laboratory documentation data entry, review, analysis, e-sign and communication of results. "
The three companies that hire the most microbiologists are:
- Eurofins14 microbiologists jobs
- SGS12 microbiologists jobs
- Kelly Services7 microbiologists jobs
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Compare different microbiologists
Microbiologist vs. Laboratory internship
A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results. They must have excellent knowledge of scientific procedures, demonstrating their class learnings to practical applications. A laboratory intern must be detail-oriented, especially on conducting and verifying the accuracy of research materials. It is also required for a laboratory intern to be a fast-learner, understanding the scientific complexities to master various approaches.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a microbiologist are more likely to require skills like "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," "test methods," and "usp." On the other hand, a job as a laboratory internship requires skills like "lab procedures," "chemistry," "python," and "c++." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Laboratory interns earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $48,851. On the other hand, microbiologists are paid more in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $57,911.laboratory interns tend to reach lower levels of education than microbiologists. In fact, laboratory interns are 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Microbiologist vs. Research associate
A research associate is responsible for assisting the research team, organizing and interpreting findings, and verifying information before presenting the study to the board. Research associates duties also include gathering and comparing data from multiple sources, analyzing the current industry trends, creating draft outlines for reports, collecting individual contacts for interview purposes, and helping with the development of research procedures. A research associate must have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially on meeting strict deadlines and conducting studies.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that microbiologist responsibilities requires skills like "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," "test methods," and "laboratory procedures." But a research associate might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "research projects," "data collection," and "cell culture."
Research associates earn a higher average salary than microbiologists. But research associates earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $84,005. Additionally, microbiologists earn the highest salaries in the pharmaceutical with average pay of $57,911 annually.In general, research associates achieve higher levels of education than microbiologists. They're 7.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for microbiologists in the next 3-5 years?
Patrick Schlievert Ph.D.
Chair, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa
Microbiologist vs. Research laboratory technician
Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a microbiologist is likely to be skilled in "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," "test methods," and "usp," while a typical research laboratory technician is skilled in "patients," "chemistry," "laboratory equipment," and "cell culture."
Research laboratory technicians earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $42,600. Microbiologists earn the highest pay from the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $57,911.Most research laboratory technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to microbiologists. For example, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Microbiologist vs. Chemistry laboratory assistant
Chemical Laboratory Assistants are professionals who help researchers and scientists in performing lab experiments and tests. Their tasks involve the maintenance, cleanliness, or sterilization of laboratory equipment or instruments. They perform physical or chemical laboratory tests assisting scientists in the quantitative or qualitative analyses of liquids, gaseous materials, and solids. The necessary skills and knowledge for this job include chemistry, lab reporting, chemical solutions, and safety procedures.
Types of microbiologist
Updated January 8, 2025
