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Job outlook for quality control microbiologists in the United States
Quality control microbiologist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected quality control microbiologist job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 1,900 new jobs for quality control microbiologists are projected over the next decade.
Quality control microbiologist salaries have increased 26% for quality control microbiologists in the last 5 years.
There are over 19,283 quality control microbiologists currently employed in the United States.
There are 82,081 active quality control microbiologist job openings in the US.
The average quality control microbiologist salary is $55,202.
Are quality control microbiologist jobs in demand?
Quality control microbiologist job and salary trends over time
Quality control microbiologist jobs over time
Quality control microbiologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,283 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 19,514 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 18,388 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 19,926 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 21,564 | 0.01% |
Average quality control microbiologist salary over time
Quality control microbiologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,202 | $26.54 | +11.6% |
| 2025 | $49,479 | $23.79 | +5.6% |
| 2024 | $46,863 | $22.53 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $45,757 | $22.00 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | $43,723 | $21.02 | --1.0% |
Quality control microbiologist jobs by state
Most common states for quality control microbiologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 348 | 26% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 178 | 26% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 193 | 20% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,133 | 19% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,060 | 19% |
| 6 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 549 | 18% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,168 | 17% |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 908 | 16% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 165 | 16% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,575 | 15% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,343 | 15% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,290 | 15% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,013 | 15% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 603 | 15% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 522 | 15% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 466 | 15% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,728 | 14% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,749 | 14% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,045 | 14% |
| 20 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,392 | 13% |
Most common cities for quality control microbiologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kankakee | 1 | 4% | $47,976 |
| 2 | Frederick | 2 | 3% | $62,567 |
| 3 | Idaho Falls | 1 | 2% | $40,937 |
| 4 | Saint Paul | 2 | 1% | $46,174 |
| 5 | Berkeley | 1 | 1% | $78,910 |
| 6 | Carlsbad | 1 | 1% | $72,083 |
| 7 | College Station | 1 | 1% | $39,584 |
| 8 | Saint Louis | 1 | 0% | $43,176 |
| 9 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $71,785 |
Quality Control Microbiologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of quality control microbiologist experts
University of California, Irvine
California State University - Long Beach
San Jose State University
Brigham Young University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Florida
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
North Dakota State University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tufts University
University of North Alabama
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Colorado State University
Harding University
Methodist University
University of Iowa
Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
Nicholls State University
University of Illinois
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Rachael Barry Ph.D.: Microbiologists can work in a wide variety of different professions. Because microbes are very diverse, there are many academic, clinical, and industrial areas where training in microbiology is advantageous. For example, in addition to the importance of microbes in a world recovering from a recent global viral pandemic, microbes can be a source of molecules with clinical uses such as antibiotics, can help us perform environmental remediation, and can serve as living reactors to produce biofuels.
What Quality Control Microbiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rachael Barry Ph.D.: Microbiologists work with microscopic organisms such as bacteria and fungi as well as with viruses. They can work in healthcare and clinical settings, in basic research, and industry. There are roles for microbiologists in the cosmetics and personal care industry, the food and beverage industry, as well as the energy and biofuels industry, among others. Many microbiologists spend their days culturing organisms and studying their traits or manipulating those traits to perform useful tasks. Some microbiologists work in the field collecting samples, others are at the bench performing research, and some perform clinical and other types of testing. An entry-level microbiologist may be involved in preparing media for growing microbes, creating and maintaining new versions of microbes, and testing the properties of these organisms. Common methods used by microbiologists include aseptic technique, cell culture, microscopy, and sequencing.
What will help Quality Control Microbiologists increase their earning potential?
Rachael Barry Ph.D.: Microbiology is a very hands-on science. Many microbes are straightforward to manipulate genetically and can be propagated quickly, leading to quicker results and innovations than other areas of biology. The relevance to healthcare and industrial applications also means that microbiology skills are often in demand. However, with the diverse nature of the field, this can mean that extensive training may be needed for some positions, including graduate study.
Renaud Berlemont Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCalifornia State University - Long Beach
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Renaud Berlemont Ph.D.: Being a microbiologist helps you understand many of the things we take for granted. Antibiotics, vaccines, many chemicals, fermented food, infectious diseases, etc. Sometimes it seems “unnatural” because we can’t directly see them. However, we can see the result of their actions everywhere!
What Quality Control Microbiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Renaud Berlemont Ph.D.: Microbiology has so many applications that there is no such thing as a typical microbiologist. Food microbiology, clinical microbiology, biotechnology, environmental monitoring, … some microbiologists want to promote microbes, others want to detect and inhibit them, and some just want to control/engineer them!
What will help Quality Control Microbiologists increase their earning potential?
Renaud Berlemont Ph.D.: Microbiology is a very exciting field to get in because, as shown by the COVID pandemic, we live in a microbial world and these tiny things can have a huge impact on human populations. However, detecting, controlling, responding to these potential threats also require microbiologists to design vaccine, detection methods, etc.
Rachael French
Professor and ChairSan Jose State University
Natural Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Rachael French: The Biology Department does not generally provide content for for-profit websites.
What Quality Control Microbiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rachael French: The Biology Department does not generally provide content for for-profit websites.
What will help Quality Control Microbiologists increase their earning potential?
Rachael French: The Biology Department does not generally provide content for for-profit websites.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Dr. Kim O'Neill: I would advise an undergraduate from the minute they arrive at university seeking a degree in Microbiology and Molecular Biology to obtain a research laboratory experience. It does not matter what career you wish to pursue, whether it be in medicine, or a PhD program, or to go straight into the work force, it is essential to get a research experience...
What Quality Control Microbiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kim O'Neill: There already many well paid jobs in the area of microbiology and molecular biology that not only can springboard into the professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, patent law, etc. but there is a demand for scientists that have expertise in the areas of microbiology and molecular biology...
What will help Quality Control Microbiologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kim O'Neill: I think the skills that will become most useful in the next few years will be the ability to manipulate genes, understand the basic sciences such as immunology, bacteriology, virology and molecular biology. Microbiologists have a good understanding of infectious diseases, and how the human body deals with them...
Bradley Bolling
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison
Food Science And Technology
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Bradley Bolling: Get as broad of a set of experiences as you can. If you haven't completed an internship before graduation, seek one out immediately. Spend at least one semester gaining research experience. Learn about consumer trends and product development. Attend professional conferences and volunteer to network.
What Quality Control Microbiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bradley Bolling: Getting an advanced degree, like a master's, can help move up the career ladder. Consider additional coursework outside your field. Develop a network for career advancement. Consider getting an MBA for a different career track.
What will help Quality Control Microbiologists increase their earning potential?
Bradley Bolling: Develop an understanding of microbial ecology, molecular detection, AI, and data management. Build a network of trusted professionals for problem-solving. Develop detailed writing skills and consider advanced degrees like an MBA for career advancement.
Monika Oli Ph.D.
Master Lecturer and Undergraduate CoordinatorUniversity of Florida
Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
What skills stand out on Quality Control Microbiologist resumes?
Monika Oli Ph.D.: -Hands-on lab skills, list methods familiar with
-List instruments and lab equipment able to use
-Familiarity with diagnostic tests and interpretation of results
-Molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, etc.)
-Research experience would be good but not a must
-If the job is in industry, QC/QA and GLP/GMP knowledge would be beneficial, but the industry does a lot of on-the-job training
What hard/technical skills are most important for Quality Control Microbiologists?
Monika Oli Ph.D.: -Good lab skills from pipetting to cloning
-Excellent computer skills are a must
-Data analysis, Excel and or R
-Programming
-Data management
-Bioinformatic programs, use, and application
-More and more experience with next-generation sequencing and associated data analysis is really important
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.
Academic Success Coordinator, Assistant Professor of PracticeUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln
Microbiology Program
What skills stand out on Quality Control Microbiologist resumes?
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.: For Microbiological Laboratory Technicians, I believe hands-on experience in laboratory settings will stand out on resumes. Companies hiring for these types of positions prefer candidates who have worked in lab settings because they will know how labs "work." For example, job candidates who have this experience should know how to follow directions in laboratory protocols, how to set up and conduct experiments, how to work as part of a team, and how to keep accurate records of your laboratory work. If someone applying for Microbiological Laboratory Technician positions can emphasize these skills on their resume, they will convey their trainability to future employers.
What soft skills should all Quality Control Microbiologists possess?
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.: Often, soft skills tend to be forgotten or under-emphasized on resumes for these positions because applicants tend to focus more heavily on technical skills. However, soft skills are extremely important to include on your resume. In particular, attention to detail, good organization skills, good written and oral communication, ability to multitask, and ability to work as part of a team are all valuable soft skills to have for Microbiological Laboratory Technicians.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Quality Control Microbiologists?
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.: For most positions, employers should provide training for specific instruments, equipment, and protocols used in the lab. However, I expect some basic Microbiology-related skills such as aseptic technique, making various growth media, familiarity with various diagnostic tests, isolating colonies from plates, along with knowing how to use common equipment such as microscopes, autoclaves, and dishwashers would be beneficial in general. Many positions also require basic computers skills, and some prefer previous experience with specific software.
What skills will help Quality Control Microbiologists earn the most?
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.: Generally speaking, having previous experience working in a laboratory setting will help applicants earn more. Educational background in a Microbiology-related field will also help. For positions in medically related labs, obtaining a certification in medical laboratory science should also increase opportunities for career growth and higher earnings.
Dr. Birgit Pruess Ph.D.
ProfessorNorth Dakota State University
Microbiological Sciences
What skills stand out on Quality Control Microbiologist resumes?
Dr. Birgit Pruess Ph.D.: That may depend on the type and level of the position. For faculty positions, certainly, research papers are what gets you the job. For postdoctoral fellow positions, the same may still apply. For industry positions, productivity or just getting the job done is still important. Since productivity at the college/university is measured in research papers, those are still helpful, but not the only thing. A list of relevant skills to the company, often listed in the job ad, is very helpful. For entry-level positions, when you don't have a lengthy CV quite yet, it matters what others think of you. That makes recommendations important. Making sure your professors know more about you than your grades is imperative here. Having worked in someone's research lab is extremely helpful. Those professors know you, and you develop lab skills.
What soft skills should all Quality Control Microbiologists possess?
Dr. Birgit Pruess Ph.D.: Soft skills seem more important today than hard skills. I disagree with that. In the end, the job still needs to get done, and that requires technical skills. Among the soft skills, the ability to communicate and work as a team probably stands out. You need to communicate with your direct supervisor and coworkers, and permanent misunderstandings and conflict just wear everybody down. You may also be asked to present your work at a larger meeting or conference. Written communication is important too. You will have to record data and write reports. Possible write lengthy papers. Listening is part of communication as well, not just talking. If you don't listen to your supervisor, you may not understand the instructions and get yourself into trouble when you do something differently that invalidates the data. Make sure you list previous activities and accomplishments in these areas. Pick recommenders that can comment on these activities (see above).
What hard/technical skills are most important for Quality Control Microbiologists?
Dr. Birgit Pruess Ph.D.: For a microbiologist, it is certainly important to know how to work sterile. To protect yourself and your experiment. General bacterial growth and/or virus propagation is often a minimum as well. PCR skills are asked in most workplaces, often as qPCR. This also requires precise pipetting skills. Making solutions and media can be important, though you can get lucky, and your company purchases them ready to go. If the job is with bacteria, microscope skills have gained importance once more. That includes fluorescence and highly advanced methods. Data analysis is crucial for every experiment. You may get lucky and are just asked to turn your data in. More likely than not, you will have to analyze them first. Make sure you have good computational and statistical skills. Bioinformatics can be useful these days as well, which gets us into Big Data. Mention if you have expertise in that area.
What skills will help Quality Control Microbiologists earn the most?
Dr. Birgit Pruess Ph.D.: That depends on the job ad. While you are in college, read job ads and find out where your interest is. Then, align your course work and research opportunities with the direction you wanna go into. Be flexible as well. The perfect job may not exist when you start with college.
Dr. Melissa Christopherson
Faculty AssociateUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
Department of Bacteriology
What soft skills should all Quality Control Microbiologists possess?
Dr. Melissa Christopherson: The ability to effectively communicate about science is one of the most important skills that a microbiologist can hone. Microbiologists are often at the intersection of many different fields, combining molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and bioinformatics with different applications in industrial fields like biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, biodefense, renewable energy, and the food industry. A successful microbiologist will be able to understand the foundations of each of these fields to foster collaboration. A successful microbiologist will also realize that diverse teams of people often are the most productive and innovative and will seek out an array of perspectives within their team as they pursue the answers to a biological question. Right now, with misinformation about vaccines, COVID, public health, and antibiotics widespread, scientific communication in microbiology is more important than ever.
The ability to critically think about scientific findings is another important skill. The power of microbiology is that many universal biological principles can be tested in controlled experiments at the bench with a carefully designed and controlled experiment. There are many pressing questions in microbiology right now, for instance, a better and more detailed understanding of different microbiomes and the metabolic underpinnings that dictate their function, better understanding of conditions that allow for pathogens to emerge, spread and cause disease, and microbial strategies that can be used to combat climate change. These big ideas are being met with new technology, like next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing, CRISPR, and a host of emerging bioinformatics platforms to analyze the large amounts of data generated by such complex questions. Right now, analyzing these large data sets requires collaboration between bioinformaticists and microbiologists, as few people have sufficiently deep knowledge of both fields to answer these questions on their own. Amid a large cloud of data, the discerning microbiologist will be able to work as part of a team to focus on a simple, controlled, and testable question to move the field forward as a whole.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Quality Control Microbiologists?
Dr. Melissa Christopherson: Although I am not a medical microbiologist, there are foundational techniques in microbiology that are critically important right now as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. Basic skills like PCR, nucleic acid sequencing, aseptic technique, serological testing like ELISAs, and microscopy are essential for testing for and identifying pathogens like SARS-COV2. New innovations, CRISPR and LAMP-PCR, are rapidly changing the possible ways to diagnose pathogens. Milestone advances in deep sequencing, among other advances, have led to faster-than-ever vaccine development for emerging pathogens. As an instructor at a top-ranked microbiology program, we teach undergraduates how to use these tools.
Outside of medical microbiology, these tools are being used to understand climate change, solve problems in agriculture, develop renewable energy solutions, and describe a variety of soil, air, and host microbiomes that underpin healthy hosts and ecosystems.
What's a good job out of college for Quality Control Microbiologists?
Andrew Camilli: For PhD graduates, there are many good job opportunities in diverse institutions, but researcher positions in industry (mainly in biotech and pharma) and postdoctoral research training (academia, industry, government) are the two biggest.
What will help Quality Control Microbiologists increase their earning potential?
Andrew Camilli: For scientists interested in industry careers, earning a PhD in areas of research that are of interest to biomedical R&D companies is most important. Also networking with people in industry while in graduate school is important. For careers in academia, publishing several quality peer-reviewed papers as a graduate student is important. For either industry or academia research careers, getting postdoctoral research training can increase your competitiveness for jobs and ultimately your earning potential.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Microbiologists?
Dr. Eric Becraft: In the long run, there will probably be very little, if any, impact on graduates. At least in my experience, professors and staff have done an amazing job adapting to the new environment so students do not lose out on any education. Even in STEM laboratories, where social distancing is difficult, professors have managed to still provide the essential hands-on experiences that graduates will use in the future. If anything, the experience of the pandemic may make graduates more adaptable to different settings of higher learning.
What's a day at work look like for a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Dr. Eric Becraft: This may sound idealistic, but any job where you love what you do, and where there is room for continued learning and advancement, is a good job. Whether you go to graduate school, work for a corporation or the government, or go into business for yourself, you want to make sure you can continue to improve (or grow as a scientist).
What technical skills for a Quality Control Microbiologist stand out to employers?
Dr. Eric Becraft: In today's world the number one skill that stands out is computer science/programming. Every STEM field requires knowledge of computers now, and the more knowledge the better. Also important in the biological sciences is the ability to work with and analyze DNA in the laboratory and on the computer, respectively. DNA sequencing science is the only science moving faster than computer science, and soon all biologists, and maybe most STEM scientists, will need some experience in the field of genetics.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Microbiologists?
Max Haggblom Ph.D.: No and yes. At Rutgers-School of Environmental and Biological Sciences we have worked hard to ensure in-person lab experiences during the pandemic, especially for graduating seniors. This includes core laboratory courses to learn key skills, but also the ability to continue work in the research laboratories, even if partly remotely. We currently also have students with lab jobs in the field or internships. One positive impact of having to adjust to remote learning is that students will be well prepared to host and engage in meetings and presentations online; this is definitely a skill that will be beneficial for future jobs/travel/collaborations both nationally and internationally.
Sebsnjaesnew
Living through a pandemic will have an enduring impact on everyone, but very much microbiologists. The quote "Never underestimate the power of the microbe" (Jackson Foster) became very real.
What's a day at work look like for a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Max Haggblom Ph.D.: Work that has to be done in the lab needs to be in-person. This will not change, once labs can be safely re-populated, but meetings, etc. are now remotely and will likely continue in this mode for some time.
What technical skills for a Quality Control Microbiologist stand out to employers?
Max Haggblom Ph.D.: For microbiologists it is important to have broad laboratory skills, microbiological technique of course, but also proficiency in biochemical and molecular assays. Knowledge in the use of relevant lab instrumentation, such as PCR. The ability to analyze and interpret data is a must, as are strong writing and presentation skills. Critical thinking and the ability to troubleshoot experimental methods as well as analytical instrumentation are important.
Jennifer McLean Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate Department Head for Undergraduate EducationColorado State University
Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Microbiologists?
Jennifer McLean Ph.D.: Thinking in terms of silver linings, one enduring impact the pandemic will have on graduates, especially in the fields of microbiology, immunology and vaccine development, is the realization that communicating basic science to the general public is crucial to the health of the world's population. I also hope the team effort and open communication among scientists during the quest for an effective vaccine will be the new norm as these graduates enter the scientific community.
What type of skills will young Quality Control Microbiologists need?
Jennifer McLean Ph.D.: Graduates entering the workforce will need to be able to think like scientists to solve problems like the COVID-19 pandemic. Graduates will need to apply what they have learned to new problems and situations. They will need familiarity with new technologies that are developing more rapidly than ever before and an understanding of methods used for analyzing vast amounts of data. They will also need collaborative skills that will allow them to work effectively in an interdisciplinary fashion to solve some of the world's toughest scientific health problems.
What experience really stands out on Quality Control Microbiologist resumes?
Jennifer McLean Ph.D.: This can really depend, but I have to believe that moving forward, students who persisted in college during the pandemic will be able to tout on their resumes their own ability to be nimble in how they learn, collaborate and work. During the pandemic they likely had to learn under a variety of circumstances (hybrid, online, synchronous, asynchronous, face-to-face, etc.) and use a variety of platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoogleMeet, etc.). I think graduates should highlight their flexibility, persistence, and ability to quickly pivot away from what was comfortable and known and come out the other side smarter, stronger and inarguably more resilient.
What Quality Control Microbiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dennis Province Ph.D.: In the field of science, it is always a good idea to have all the skills that you can get. If you want to work in a microbiology lab, you should think about learning some chemistry or statistics. Important work never stays in one tiny corner of science; it bridges many fields and so should your skill set. People skills are also very important. Can you talk to people and communicate and listen to new ideas?
A gap year usually implies finding work as a research technician before applying to graduate or professional school. If this is the case, one question that employers and graduate programs have about their applicants are about their fitness: can they withstand the rigor at the next level? A recent graduate needs to show evidence that they are responsible and timely. The gap year should be filled with activities that show this.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Dennis Province Ph.D.: You never know where you will end up later in life and what skills you will need in the future. Open your mind and become a lifelong learner. Be a student of life and learn from others at every step of the journey. Employers are always looking for workers that show initiative. Decide where you want to work and what you think you might want to do and have the courage to contact someone, and let them know! Most jobs or opportunities are found and decided with an informal conversation. Employers want the best people and those tend to be type that take the initiative.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Quality Control Microbiologist job market given the pandemic?
Dennis Province Ph.D.: Trends indicate that the job market is definitely going digital. Virtual interviews and job fairs are much more common now.
Stephanie Hooper Marosek Ph.D.
Chair, Associate ProfessorMethodist University
Department of Chemistry and Physical Science
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Quality Control Microbiologist job market given the pandemic?
Stephanie Hooper Marosek Ph.D.: I think the biggest trends will be more of a willingness for graduates to expand their geographic areas in which they are searching for jobs. For chemistry graduates, there will always be a job in a lab somewhere, but you must be willing to move for it. The less a graduate is limited by location, the higher their chances of employment. Another likely trend will be an increase in graduate school applications. With a decrease in certain job markets, graduates will return to higher education in pursuit of a master's or Ph.D. to improve their resume or C.V. Many chemistry graduate programs offer tuition remission and teaching stipends/assistantships, so this is a very viable option for recent graduates who are struggling to find employment as a chemist.
What skills stand out on Quality Control Microbiologist resumes?
Stephanie Hooper Marosek Ph.D.: Skills that make recent chemistry graduates stand out are research experience, internships, part-time work in labs, and hands-on familiarity with certain types of preparation, techniques, and analysis equipment. Most jobs in the field of chemistry are for analysts, so the ability to understand and perform certain methods and analyze/interpret data is a valuable skill.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Control Microbiologists to find work opportunities?
Stephanie Hooper Marosek Ph.D.: Places that are associated with research and development, pharmaceutical or biotech companies, or large research universities are likely to have positions available for laboratory analysts. For example, our graduates are fortunate that the Research Triangle Park in the Raleigh/Durham area is close by. There are many R&D, biotech, pharmaceutical, or similar types of labs in the surrounding areas that are often looking for entry-level chemists. If a graduate is not limited by geography, then they will be able to find employment as a chemist within a few months of graduation.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Patrick Schlievert Ph.D.: For undergraduates: Know as much as you can about microbiology and immunology. Have some breadth in other non-science areas. I have spoken with many CEOs of large and small companies. They want folks who communicate well. A lot of us tend to be science nerds and are most comfortable in the laboratory. However, be a closet nerd and extend yourself. I took almost every sciences course offered in physical (even geology and paleobotany) and biological sciences when I was a student here. I also took a year of philosophy and another year of anthropology. In other words, know your field and adjacent fields well, but be broad in your knowledge and speak well with people.
For graduate students: Know as much as you can about M&I and adjacent fields like biochemistry. I took multiple courses in every subdiscipline of M&I; I took multiple biochemistry, cell physiology, and biostatistics. My Ph.D. was in innate immunity when it was not popular. I described the first defensin 20 years before the name came up. Do the best science you can in doing your thesis. Knowing techniques and what is behind them is critical. This will then allow you to apply for and obtain the best postdoctoral position. It is unusual for folks these days not to do a postdoc. I applied for five postdoc positions, and I was offered a spot in all of them. I think that is because I had ten papers published as a graduate student. I applied only to places where I had the most excellent chance to work in an area of breadth. This means I could explore M&I in multiple projects without impinging on other folks' projects. I published 23 papers as a postdoctoral associate in three years. The best postdoc in my laboratory did the same thing. My philosophy is that a postdoc can work on anything that I am funded to do that the graduate student is not currently doing. In other words, avoid a lab with 30 graduate students and postdocs! Find the lab with the best chance to use what you already know and expand your training. I was also lucky to direct two research technicians and two graduate students while I was a postdoc. With this, find a mentor where you currently are, maybe your Ph.D. advisor, but perhaps not, who can assist you in contacts and writing letters for application. Know well the area you are applying for.
For postdocs: You will need first to decide if you want an industry, small college, or significant University. If you wish to a small college, be able to teach exceptionally well. Get as much experience as you can in teaching both as a graduate student and postdoc. I have won many teaching awards, even as a significant university faculty member. I found the time both as a graduate student and postdoc to be able to give lectures. I did the same with my senior graduate students and postdocs. One of my graduate students is now the chair of the science department at a small college. They had to make her an associate professor so she could be the chair of the department. She asked if she could give lectures; I had her giving three classes to medical students for two years. She was evaluated and rated highly. This was critical to her career advancement. For future faculty at major universities, publications and areas are crucial. Not every publication needs to be in Nature or Science. I have an H-index of 100 as of today. Many of my highest impact papers are in non-highest impact journals. You will want some high impact, but you also need quality numbers. You will want to be able to take a project with you when you leave the postdoc position.
I took toxic shock syndrome with me. The area is critical today. In M&I, the significant NIH funding is in immunology and virology, and much less so bacteriology. Mycology and parasitology are becoming more acute. Remember that all areas of M&I need superb-quality faculty, just not so many in non-medical areas. Having a strong immunology background and medical bacteriology/virology background can help you get a job. Your first interview for a faculty position is likely to be rough, so get it done as well as you can. This will tell you what you need to do for the next interviews. Have a trusted, high-quality mentor. When I applied for faculty positions, I already had a grant application in hand. If you have the chance, apply for new investigator grants or be ready to. For those of you going into the industry, you need contacts. I have started three biopharma companies, and I have worked with huge companies my whole life (J&J; P&G as examples). You need to know folks who know company people or need a strong mentor with that slant to help you. I am the reason many folks have been hired by companies, and the postdocs, whether in my lab or not, took the time for me to get to know them well. Above all, remember that old-faculty may have the most important contacts in this regard.
Today, one of the most significant stressors for graduate students and postdoctoral associates is what is available for the spouse. For this reason, large cities are better suited where there are more opportunities. Additionally, job candidates may be separated from the spouse for a time, months to years. When I became a faculty member, it was at UCLA. It was easy for my spouse to find a job. There will be sacrifices that need to be made to accommodate both. You will, at some point, want to discuss this with your mentor or future employer.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Quality Control Microbiologists in the next 3-5 years?
Patrick Schlievert Ph.D.: Know the primary techniques that you are currently using: CRISPRcas9 is undeniably critical. Knowing how to use it and related methods are essential. Knowing how to knock out genes for use in animals is vital. Immunology today, and for the next many years, will be critical. Learn how to do the significant assays used in the field. The search for new antimicrobials will continue; know how they do their assays and discovery. Knowing molecular techniques for the pathogenesis of microbes is critical. I do not mean the physiology of pathogens, but instead how pathogens cause disease. Bacterial physiology is becoming de-emphasized. They know how immunology and pathogens of any sort interact are critical. Animal models that mimic the human condition are crucial. I would learn as many modern molecular and cellular techniques as you can that are currently being used. These will set you in good stead for the immediate future.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Quality Control Microbiologists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Patrick Schlievert Ph.D.: Undergrads who obtain BA/BS can expect a starting salary of $40K-50K, plus fringe benefits, in a university setting. These numbers are set by grant funding. Industry salaries are perhaps $10K higher. Wages for MS folks are rising, but I have seen little evidence of this truly happening. Ph.D. faculty salaries at small colleges are almost always nine months and $40K to $100K max. For large Universities and significant industries today, the starting salaries are usually $100K and peak at $300K as prominent full professors with lots of grant funding or accepting directorships in companies.
These are proportionately scaled down for nine-month appointments, but you can generate additional summer salary from grants. If you go with a start-up, your salary will likely also be in the $100K range, but you will probably also have to write SBIR grant applications, generating additional wages. The critical thing with small companies is that you can gain experience that may get you the desired job in a large company. I became chair of M&I because I wanted to help the faculty! That is my only desired legacy. That is often not why chairs are hired, though. Department chairs in large universities often make $250K to $350K; this is quite acceptable.
What type of skills will young Quality Control Microbiologists need?
Robert Berger: New graduates will need the following:
-good computer skills
-good communication skills, both verbal and written
-good interviewing skills
-ability to network with peers
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Control Microbiologists to find work opportunities?
Robert Berger: The best areas for microbiology graduates are where Biotech Companies are located, i.e., East and West Coasts, since most biotech companies are located.
How do you envision technology impacting Quality Control Microbiologists in the next 5 years?
Robert Berger: In the next five years, technology will expand at the current rate in all areas of microbiology and related sciences.
What type of skills will young Quality Control Microbiologists need?
Dr. Katherine Galloway Ph.D.: Graduates will need a variety of technical skills. In biology, skills such as having lab experience and experience with statistical analyses and GIS are very valuable. If interested in education, being able to adapt and gain experience with online teaching will be important as well. Graduates will also need to communicate to employers that they can be independent and problem solve/critically think on their own, which also ties into work/volunteer experience that highlights your leadership skills.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Control Microbiologists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Katherine Galloway Ph.D.: If interested in biology and fieldwork, graduates should be ready to relocate to gain experience. Fieldwork positions can be in remote areas or at many national parks in several states (California, Yellowstone National Park, Everglades in Florida, etc.). Make sure to check out local and state agencies such as Florida Fish and Wildlife or Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. If interested in gaining teaching experience while continuing your education, look into funded master's programs where you can receive a stipend and tuition reimbursement to teach labs/classes. If you are limited to only local opportunities, try looking into environmental consulting and lab tech positions, which are all over the United States.
How do you envision technology impacting Quality Control Microbiologists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Katherine Galloway Ph.D.: Being proficient in various technologies is critical now, but will be even more relevant in the next five years. Many companies are transitioning into more remote work, which means employers expect employees to be proactive and troubleshoot technology issues on their own. Implementing new technologies in biology is constant and ongoing. Therefore, it is important for you to keep up to date in your field, whether that be a certain area of biological research, biology education, conservation/management, or scientific communication. Being able to do tasks such as online schedule meetings, sync calendars, and communicate effectively over email will be critical in all job fields.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Microbiologists?
James Slauch: The pandemic will likely lead to increased research investment in certain areas of infectious disease and immunology, providing opportunities in both academia and industry. Like what happened with HIV/AIDS in the 1990s and potential biowarfare agents in the 2000s, there already has been, and will continue to be, increased federal investment in Coronavirus-related research. If we are smart, we will maintain and increase research in all areas of biomedicine and basic biology. There are many examples of research areas that might seem obscure to the average person and then become critical with the emergence of a new disease.
The, hopefully, short-term negative impact was the fact that most academic laboratories shut down this past summer. Many undergraduates gain their most important laboratory experience over the summer and this cohort missed out.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Control Microbiologists to find work opportunities?
James Slauch: There are certain areas of the country with concentrated pharma and biotech. I doubt if this will be affected by the pandemic per se.
How do you envision technology impacting Quality Control Microbiologists in the next 5 years?
James Slauch: Technology in molecular biology is always improving and becoming more powerful because of investments in research. It's hard to see what is coming, but there is no question that our current state of technology has allowed unprecedented and rapid advancement in our understanding of SARS-CoV-2, the establishment of PCR-based tests, and the creation of vaccine candidates.