Occupation
Microbiologist
Microbiologists study bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms too small to see without a microscope. The work spans identifying what is growing in a sample, testing how organisms respond to conditions or treatments, and confirming that products, water, or clinical specimens meet safety standards. Sterile technique and meticulous record-keeping matter as much as the science.
Also known as: Bacteriologist · Virologist · Mycologist · Clinical microbiologist
Occupation content
Part of Natural sciences and research
What the work involves
- Culture, isolate, and identify organisms from clinical, food, water, or environmental samples
- Run susceptibility, contamination, or sterility tests and interpret the plates or readouts
- Maintain sterile working conditions and calibrate incubators, autoclaves, and microscopes
- Record results against controls and flag anything outside expected ranges
- Write up findings for clinicians, regulators, quality teams, or research colleagues
- Keep to containment-level rules for the organisms being handled
How people commonly enter
- A degree in microbiology, biomedical science, or a related life science
- Postgraduate study for specialist research or lead scientist positions
- Starting as a laboratory technician and progressing through further qualifications
- Employer-run graduate or trainee scientist schemes in healthcare, food, or water testing
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Regulated in some jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Lab or workshop · Quiet focus · Team based · Predictable routine · High responsibility
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Natural sciences and research.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: microbiologist · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Microbiologists · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Microbiologist · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Natural sciences and research in Canada, not a figure for Microbiologist. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Natural sciences and research family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: education pathways
Some roles in Natural sciences and research may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)