Microbiologists study microscopic forms of life such as bacteria, viruses,
protozoa, algae and fungi to increase scientific knowledge and develop
medical, veterinary, industrial, environmental and other practical
applications.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Microbiologist earn an average of $1315 per week. The
[average annual salary for this job is $68380 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
enjoy and have aptitude for science and research
able to think logically and analytically
able to carry out detailed and accurate work
good communication skills
able to think creatively and solve problems
able to work as part of a team.
This job also involves:
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Professional Jobs
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree,
or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study,
such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Biology
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Chemistry
School subjects that include some aspects of CHEMISTRY provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a chemistry-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Microbiologist
Microbiologists may perform the following tasks:
develop products, such as antibiotics, detergents or cosmetics, that either combat diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms or harness the positive capabilities of microorganisms
test samples from patients, isolating and identifying the microbes that cause illness, examining their susceptibility to antibiotics and giving advice about appropriate treatment
prevent and control the spread of harmful microbes in hospitals, the food industry and the general population
advise the government about public health policies
examine natural products for their ability to inhibit the growth of dangerous microbes and apply their findings to the medical and food industries
investigate the potential of microbes to improve human and animal health through nutrition
develop and improve fermented drinks and foods, such as beer, wine, cheese and yoghurt
research the microbiology of plants and use microbes to control pests, weeds and animal diseases
study DNA and the use of bacteria to introduce specially engineered genes into an organism in order to fight disease or to change a specific feature of the organism
use their knowledge of microbiology to minimise the environmental impact of production and clean up existing pollution
investigate the ways in which microorganisms can be used to improve and enhance products that impact on quality of life, such as food and beverages.