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Microbiologist: Salary and conditions

•  Although there is some variation, the typical starting salary for a trainee biomedical scientist is in the range of about £17,000 to £18,000. Qualified biomedical scientists earn from about £19,000 to £31,000. Advanced practitioner grades carry salaries in the range of £45,000 to in excess of £70,000 (salary data collected July 09).
• Clinical scientist trainees in the NHS typically start on salaries that range from £22,886 to £31,004 (salary data collected July 09).
• Research and development work in pharmaceutical firms, public health laboratories and medical research council units earn higher salaries, in the range of £27,600 to £36,416. Other positions which involve largely routine analytical procedures command between £16,405 and £24,803 (salary data collected July 09).
• The working day can be quite long, especially at the start of your career when you need to show commitment. Larger employers may provide flexible working schemes. London allowances are available.
• The work is generally laboratory-based, although there are opportunities in other types of work environments.
• Microbiologists often work as part of a small team on projects. They are also usually responsible for managing their own workload.
• Contract and temporary work is available at graduate and technician level within a number of sectors.
• Research work can provide more variety than that of routine identification or monitoring, which may be more structured.
• Competition can be strong for jobs, particularly within the clinical sector.
• Travel within a working day may be required for meetings or on-site visits, but over night absence is uncommon.

AGCAS

Written by Joy Perkins, University of Aberdeen

Last updated:

July 2009

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