Microbiologist

Job Description

Microbiologists undertake laboratory analysis and monitoring of microbial cultures, samples and new drugs using specialist computer software and a range of identification methods and clinical trials. Responsibilities include: planning and carrying out trials. tracking environmental microorganism development.A Microbiologist, or Clinical Microbiologist, is responsible for studying microorganisms and how they interact with other living things. Their duties include using laboratory equipment to run tests on bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, recording their findings in detailed reports and making presentations at conferences and other events about their research findings.ResponsibilitiesTasks vary depending on your area of specialism. For example, clinical scientists working in microbiology will be involved in preventing, diagnosing and controlling the spread of infections, whereas those working in manufacturing may be involved in quality control, checking for signs of contamination.Depending on your area of expertise, youll typically need to:monitor and identify microorganisms track microorganisms in a range of environments monitor and assess samples from a range of sources follow regular sampling schedules within a specific environment use a variety of identification methods, including molecular techniques, to test samples develop new techniques, products and processes develop and plan methods to prevent the spread of disease develop and register new medicines, vaccines, diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical products plan, implement and evaluate new products in clinical trials collect samples from different types of environments, such as agricultural sites develop products such as enzymes, vitamins, hormones and antimicrobials grow microbial cultures, e.g. for use in the food and drink industry or in agriculture work with specialist computer software to undertake studies and research manage and oversee laboratory work.You may also need to:plan and organise resources and activities maintain accurate and up-to-date records write up research findings and produce reports keep up with new research attend and present at national and international conferences and other events liaise with colleagues from non-scientific departments supervise support staff tutor, supervise and mentor students (if working as a university lecturer or in a teaching hospital) provide information and advice to colleagues and external bodies.

Keyskills :
biologistsresearchmicroscopetest analysisprocess monitoringdata collectionenvironmentmicrobiologistsaseptic techniques