Microbiologist

== =Job Description= A microbiologist is a different area of the many fields of biology. The job would typically consist of examining and researching things at a molecular or cellular level. Researching and studying new strands of cellular life that could be used for medicines or as antibiotics. With the newer technology that scientists use in the lab, examining DNA strands, although being a branch of this job, is also handled by molecular biologists. These kinds of biologists also examine the cells of plants and animals. Depending on the field, there are several different things that a molecular biologist will end up doing. Sometimes, it will be the examination of bacteria and viruses, or virology. Other fields are immunology and even biotechnology is a part of the job when it comes to research of cell reproduction and regrowth. The field of molecular biology is very broad, so there is something that might intrigue everyone.

=Personality Characteristics= While it's important not to be a complete introvert, you don't have to be the most socialbe person to be a microbiologist, even if it may help. While solo work is available, research is usually done within a team, where there will be several microbiologists, therefore it's important to understand that you aren't working alone. Organization is incredibly important too. If you can't organize yourself, you might have some trouble taking care of things in the lab. Taking care to know where exactly everything is becomes a priority so work can be finished quick and efficiently.

=Working Conditions= Working conditions are typically safe, with no exposure to dangerous bacteria or chemicals. Lab work though, can be dangerous, and it's important to follow all safety procedures during lab work, to decrease the risk of any kind of poisoning or contamination. There shouldn't be any major problems as long as the proper gear is worn and one has the proper vaccinations when examining small organisms. =Places of Employment= When one has a higher degree of learning, work can be done in independent laboritories. Independent laboritories either are typically doing research for a larger government organization. Ohter microbiologists works specifically in labs built for them, often times being medical facilities and hospitals. There are no particular areas of employment in specific geograhpical areas, as work is mostly done in the lab and an office, and that can be done where buildings are built. A few places that currently have microbiologist jobs available are Galleon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aureus Medical Group, and Kelly Scientific Resources. There are few jobs around Slippery Rock that are currently hireing microbiologists.

=Job Outlook= The job of microbiology isn't necessarily disappearing, but it's slowly becoming more geared to accomadate new technology in the field of science. The field is becoming more like biotechnology and with increased knowledge of most cultures of virus and bacteria, it's moving towards molecular biology as well. With the technology though, could come a boom in the field in the near future. Not something huge, but at the current rate, there is probably no chance of the job completely disappearing. Even so, the job still will have few opportunities even with a large boom, because it is small to begin with. In 2006 there were 17000 microbiologists. It is projected in 2016 to be 19000.

=Salary Information= The average salary of microbiologists in American in 2006 was 57980 U.S. dollars.

=Recommeded Education and Training= A Ph.D. is a recommedation if one were to carry out independent study, large government study, hold a teaching position, or take up the administration of a company. Biological science can begin with a bachelor's degree in most labs as a lab assistant or other position. The longer the experience in the field, the more positions one can acquire as a biologist, or in general, any scientific research career.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm http://www.asm.org/Education/index.asp?bid=1272 http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorks.nsf/Alphabetical+List/Microbiologist?OpenDocument&ShowTab=All& [] []