Microbiologists
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Sample of reported job titles:
Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Microbiologist, Microbiological Analyst, Microbiologist, Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist)
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
- Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Assistant Software for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Interpretation ASASI,Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST,BD Biosciences CellQuest,BD Biosciences CloneCyt,Bruker Optics OPUS,BtB Software Mycobacteriology Lab,Codon Usage Database,Computing Solutions LabSoft LIMS Micro,DM2 Bills of Lading,FindTarget,FramePlot,Gene Finder,Gene recognition software,Genie Interactive,Image capture and analysis software,Laboratory information management system LIMS,NetLims AutoLims,Pathogen Modeling Program PMP,PHYLIP,PIBWin,PredictProtein,Proscan,Protein databases,Protein Explorer,ProtScale,STARLIMS,Statistical software,TreeView,Verity Software House ModFit LT
- Data base user interface and query software:Database management software,Microsoft Access,WHONET
- Electronic mail software:Email software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software:SAP business and customer relations management software
- Information retrieval or search software:ComBase
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Documenting/Recording Information:Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Processing Information:Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze biological samples.
- Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
- Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
- Cultivate micro-organisms for study, testing, or medical preparations.
- Develop new or advanced products or production methods.
Work Context
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:100% responded"Every day"
- Electronic Mail:96% responded"Every day"
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate:87% responded"Extremely important"
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:78% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:77% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Science:Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Writing:Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Knowledge
- Biology:Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Chemistry:Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 48%Bachelor's Degree
- 17%Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
- 13%Master's Degree
- 9%Post-Doctoral Training
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Category Flexibility:The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
- Recognition:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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