Options with microbiology

Your skills

Microbiology students learn subject-specific skills which include:

• employing a range of investigative, recording and analysis techniques;
• preparing, interpreting and presenting data, using statistical programmes, qualitative and quantitative techniques and spreadsheets;
• conducting literature searches and critically evaluating information;
• undertaking practical laboratory investigations in a safe, responsible and ethical manner, using, for example, aseptic techniques, microscopy skills and microbial identification, and taking into account relevant health and safety regulations;
• applying scientific thought, rationales and approaches.

In addition to specialist subject knowledge, microbiology students also develop a number of transferable skills highly regarded by employers. These more general skills include:

• identifying, selecting, organising and communicating information;
• working on your own and as part of a small team, recognising the opinions and views of all members of the team;
• using adaptable and flexible analytical and problem-solving skills;
• communicating information appropriately to different audiences;
• evaluating your own performance and that of others, as well as carrying out time management and organising your workload;
• identifying your own targets and those of others and ensuring appropriate action is taken to reach the goals.

You may also be required to carry out an extended research project in the final year of your degree course, for which you may have to design, plan and carry out experiments within an appropriate timescale. This provides potential employers with valuable evidence of project management skills.

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Microbiologist - studies microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and algae. They focus on the biology of microorganisms at both the molecular and cellular level, as well as their ecology. They also look at how microorganisms affect us and how we can exploit them.
• Biomedical scientist - carries out laboratory tests on human samples to help clinicians diagnose illness and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. This work is vital to the wellbeing of patients because doctors treat their patients on the basis of the results of these tests.
• Haematologist - studies blood, blood-forming tissues and blood-related diseases. They look at the size, structure, function and amount of different types of blood cells and produce reports and scientific analyses to show their findings.
• Research scientist (life sciences) - designs, conducts and analyses experiments, either with a definite end use (to develop new products, processes or commercial applications) or to broaden scientific understanding in general.
• Scientific laboratory technician - responsible for laboratory-based tasks, including sampling, testing, measuring, recording and analysing results in biological, chemical, physical and life sciences, providing technical support to enable laboratories to function effectively. 
• Toxicologist - plans and carries out laboratory and field studies to identify, monitor and evaluate the impact of toxic materials and radiation on human and animal health, the environment, and the impact of future technology.
• Technical brewer - responsible for managing the process of brewing and packaging beer. The role involves taking responsibility for raw materials, operatives and technicians, the safe and effective running of the plant and machinery, and ensuring consistent quality of the product.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Ecologist - concerned with ecosystems as a whole and, within them, the abundance and distribution of organisms (people, plants, animals) and the relationships between organisms and their environment.
• Forensic scientist - primarily concerned with examining contact trace material associated with crimes. Forensic scientists provide impartial scientific advice for use in courts of law to support the prosecution or defence in criminal and civil investigations. 
• Science writer - researches, writes and edits scientific news articles and features for business, trade and professional publications, specialist scientific and technical journals, and the general media. Writers need to be able to understand complex scientific information, theories and practices.
• Water quality scientist - responsible for the scientific analysis of water quality, including setting targets and standards to safeguard all aspects of water quality. Water quality scientists compare test results with these standards, investigate shortfalls and take action to remedy problems.

For some of the jobs mentioned above it will be necessary to undertake a higher degree in order to specialise further. You may also need to get some relevant work experience during your degree course which relates to the area of work to give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

Other options

If you decide to work in a science-based career, pre-entry experience in a laboratory will be useful. This can be difficult to arrange but will be an advantage when you start looking for employment.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)  provides a list of pharmaceutical recruiters, some of which may provide summer or gap year opportunities. Also talk to hospital laboratories or your university careers service about gaining some voluntary experience. The Society for General Microbiology (SGM)  offers a vacation studentship for undergraduates. This is a small award allowing the student to work on microbiological research projects in their summer vacation before their final year. The Society for Applied Microbiology (SFAM)  offers something similar. Applications for the grants need to be made on behalf of the student by a full member of the society (usually the student’s academic supervisor). Some companies also provide funding to support research work in laboratories over the summer.

Becoming a member of a professional body, such as the SGM, will demonstrate commitment and provide valuable networking and career development opportunities.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.

Career areas

A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that six months after graduation just over 40% microbiology graduates had entered employment. Of these graduates in employment, just over a fifth went to work in scientific research, analysis and development, while 13% went into techncial and professional roles.

Types of work typically undertaken by microbiology graduates include:

• investigating diseases of humans, animals and plants;
• developing medicines and healthcare products;
• monitoring and preventing pollution;
• ensuring safety and quality of food;
• medicines manufacture.

Microbiology graduates can also enter unrelated fields such as finance, retail and management - employers are very interested in science graduates as they generally have good analytical and problem-solving skills.

Where are the jobs?

Microbiology-related careers are found in a diverse range of employment sectors and typical employers include:

• healthcare organisations such as the National Health Service (NHS) - see NHS Careers ;
• environmental organisations;
• industry - food and drink, pharmaceuticals, toiletries, and biotechnology companies;
• publicly funded research organisations;
• higher education institutions.

You can find information about the range of employment available by looking into the following sectors:

• Science and pharmaceuticals - scientists work in industry, the health service, government establishments, research and educational institutions.
• Health and social care - the UK health sector employs people across a range of organisations within the public, independent and voluntary sectors.
• Teaching and education - includes schools, further and higher education. Many scientists are employed in universities to carry out research or in schools as teachers.

For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors. 

Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?

Further study

A third of students graduating with degrees in microbiology in 2011 went on to do full-time postgraduate study, with almost 6% combining work with study. Undertaking further study can help you gain more specialised knowledge in a specific area of your subject. Typical areas of postgraduate study undertaken by microbiology graduates include: genetics; biochemistry; medical microbiology; bioinformatics; molecular biology; biotechnology; and environmental microbiology. It is also possible to proceed to graduate-entry programmes in medicine.

Some microbiology graduates choose to diversify by studying subjects such as computing, science communication and journalism. There are also many courses open to graduates from any discipline that lead to careers in areas such as marketing, finance, business, teaching and law.

These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.

For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.

AGCAS

Written by AGCAS editors

Date: 

June 2011

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