How to Become a Microbiologist

About Microbiologist

In the recent years, Microbiology has created a lot of buzz and gained popularity leading to a rush in the number of students who are looking forward to pursuing microbiology as a career. Microbiologists are regarded as scientists who play a vital role in studying organisms and infectious agents that cannot be seen with the unprotected eye. They also study the interactions of microorganisms with humans and other organisms that exist and affect our lives. Microbiologists also check the food whether it is safe or not, develop green technologies and track the role of microbes in the climate change. 

Bacteria and viruses are threatening human existence today, and most of us are baffled as to how these microscopic organisms can do so. Most of us simply wonder and move on. But are you one of those who wants to learn about the various microorganisms that exist, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and so on, and how they affect the environment? Then you'll be glad to know that you can now make a career out of it! Yes, you read that correctly! You can actually make a career out of Microbiology, and here's everything you need to know about it.

Scientists who specialise in studying microscopic organisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and algae that can result in different types of infections are known as microbiologists. Microbiologists monitor these organisms' development in order to learn about their characteristics, with the goal of preventing infections as well as correctly diagnosing and treating them. A microbiologist is someone who studies these tiny organisms to determine how they interact with various environments. Aspiring candidates can pursue Undergraduate and Graduate Microbiology Programs, such as BSc or MSc Microbiology, at any of the top Microbiology Colleges in India in order to become a Microbiologist. Entry to these colleges is typically based on entrance exams like the IPU CET, JNUEEE, and CUET, etc. Microbiology course fees typically range between INR 20,000 and INR 2 LPA. A microbiologist can work in a variety of fields, including industrial microbiologists, environmental microbiologists, research assistants, clinical and veterinary microbiologists, and so on. In India, the average monthly salary for a microbiologist is INR 32,000. A Microbiologist, on the other hand, can earn up to INR 13 LPA after gaining significant years of experience.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Microbiologist

Microbiologists typically perform the following roles and responsibilities:

• Plan and carry out complex research projects, such as improving sterilisation procedures or developing new anti-infectious-disease drugs
• Perform laboratory experiments used in disease diagnosis and treatment
• Supervise the work of biological technicians and other workers and assess their accuracy
• Isolate and keep cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms for research purposes
• Identify and classify microorganisms found in human, plant, animal, or environmental specimens
• Keep track of how microorganisms affect plants, animals, other microorganisms, and the environment
• Attend conferences, read up on the literature, and analyse other researchers' findings
• Make recommendations based on their research findings by writing technical reports, publishing research papers, and more
• Inform scientists, non scientist executives, engineers, other coworkers, and the public about your research findings

Several microbiologists work in research and development, where they conduct basic or applied research. The primary objective of basic research is to advance scientific understanding. Growing bacteria strains in variable circumstances to learn how they behave to those conditions is one example. Other microbiologists conduct applied research and create new products to address specific issues. Microbiologists, for example, may contribute to the development of genetically modified crops, improved biofuels, or new vaccines.

Microbiologists conduct their experiments using computers and a wide range of sophisticated laboratory instruments. Bacteria are studied using electron microscopes, and the microorganism growth found in samples is analysed using advanced computer software.Since many scientific research projects involve multiple fields of study, it is becoming more common for microbiologists to collaborate on teams with technicians and scientists from other fields. Microbiologists may collaborate with medical scientists or molecular biologists to develop new drugs, as well as work in medical diagnostic laboratories with physicians and nurses to prevent, cure, and treat illness.

Eligibility to become Microbiologist

In order to start a career in Microbiology, students must choose PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) stream in Class 12. The students must score at least 50% marks in Class 12 to take up higher level education in the field of microbiology. Usually, there will be no entrance test for UG level courses in microbiology or biology.

Subjects Combination: Science stream with Biology as the major subject in Class 12 is mandatory to take up Microbiology course.

Eligibility: -

• For taking up UG level courses, i.e., BSc in Microbiology, students need to pass Class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks.
• For taking up MSc in Microbiology, BSc degree in Microbiology/ Biology/ Zoology/ Botany is mandatory.
• For taking up PhD or MPhil courses in the field of microbiology and associated areas, Master’s course is mandatory in the relevant field.
• Most universities conduct entrance test for Master’s, MPhil and PhD courses.

Steps to Become a Microbiologist in India

In India, you must meet certain academic requirements as well as research credentials to become a microbiologist. A master's degree in microbiology or one of its specialisations is the bare minimum requirement because it is a research-based field. The following steps will show you how to become a microbiologist in India:

• Study for a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology: To start your career as a Microbiologist, you can pursue a BSc degree in this field or any of the branches of Microbiology
• Explore Entry-level Research Internships: While pursuing your undergraduate degree, you should look into internships in microbiology research to gain the necessary skills and exposure to succeed in this field
• Choose a Master's degree in Microbiology: To become a Microbiologist, you must first complete a postgraduate degree in Microbiology or one of its specialised fields. So, after graduating, find a specialisation that interests you and pursue a postgraduate degree
• Study PhD/Pursuit Research Careers: After completing your master's degree, the next step is to look into entry-level research positions in Microbiology while also planning to study PhD, which is also considered an essential academic qualification for becoming a Microbiologist

Types of Job Roles Microbiologist

Microbiologists are required for diverse jobs. The following are some of the job profiles that Microbiologists can take up after obtaining the necessary skills.

Research Assistant: These microbiologists engage in research activities associated with microorganisms, causes for the diseases, figuring out solutions or treatment for diseases etc. They assist higher-level researchers in varied activities in the field of science.

Biomedical Scientists: Biomedical Scientists carry out a wide range of scientific and laboratory tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Food Technologist: The major responsibility of the food technologist is to ensure safe and efficient development, manufacture and modification of food products and processes.  

Pharmacologist: Usually, pharmacologists specialise in a specific field of research such as pharmacokinetics, toxicology etc. Microbiologists can choose pharmacology as one of the subjects at the Ph.D. level.

Clinical & Veterinary Microbiologists: Veterinary microbiologists are veterinarians who specialise in the study of microorganisms that cause infectious diseases to animals.

Industrial Microbiologist: These microbiologists apply engineering and scientific principles to the processing of materials by microorganisms, plant and animal cells to create useful products or processes.

Environmental Microbiologist: The major responsibility of the environmental microbiologist is to study the microorganisms that exist in artificial environments such as bioreactors.      

Employment Opportunities for Microbiologists

Microbiologists are required in diverse domains in the field of Science. A qualified microbiologist can get employment in the following sectors/ domains/ areas: -

• Agriculture Department
• Chemical Industries
• Beverage Industry
• Food Industry
• Environmental Agencies
• Research Organisations
• Private Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Universities
• Pharmaceutical Industries

Students can also look for employment opportunities in government sector. For this purpose, the students must clear the recruitment exams conducted by various bodies.

Top Recruiting Agencies for Microbiologists

Here are some of the top recruiting agencies for microbiologists in India: -

• Pfizer
• Lakshmi Life Sciences Ltd
• The Indian Hotels Company Ltd
• Krauter Healthcare Limited
• Alpha Pharma Healthcare India Pvt Ltd
• Siron Technology Pvt Ltd
• Mascot International

Skills Required by a Microbiologist

To be the best in their field, microbiologists must possess the following skill sets:

• Communication Skills: Microbiologists must be able to effectively communicate their research processes and findings in order for knowledge to be correctly applied
• Details Matter: Microbiologists must be able to perform scientific experiments and analyses with precision and accuracy
• Interpersonal Skills: Microbiologists typically work in research teams and thus must collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common goal. Many research team leaders must be able to motivate and direct their team members
• Ability to think logically: Microbiologists use sound reasoning and judgement to draw conclusions from experimental results
• Math Skills: In their work, microbiologists frequently employ complex mathematical equations and formulas. As a result, they require a broad understanding of mathematics, including calculus and statistics
• Ability to observe: Microbiologists must constantly monitor the results of their experiments. They must maintain a complete and accurate record of their work, noting conditions, procedures, and outcomes
• Patience: Microbiological research entails a significant amount of trial and error, and microbiologists must avoid becoming discouraged in their work
• Problem-solving abilities: Microbiologists deal with complex scientific problems through scientific research and analysis
• Time management abilities: When undertaking research and laboratory experiments, microbiologists are frequently required to meet deadlines. They must be capable of managing their time and prioritise tasks effectively while maintaining their work quality

Pay Scale/Salary of Microbiologist

Microbiologists in diverse sectors earn a satisfactory salary. Most companies pay more for highly skilled and experienced Microbiologists and researchers. The average salary structure of Microbiologists is detailed below.

Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual and company to company.

Microbiologist’s Career Path

Microbiology researchers conduct experiments in order to discover scientific questions that have never been answered before - they are explorers, making discoveries, developing new knowledge, and implementing it to real-world problems. Researchers in the field of microbiology can be found everywhere from colleges and universities to governmental organisations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), private businesses, and non-profit organisations. At a higher level, microbiology researchers are also responsible for overseeing a lab or research team and providing guidance to postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and other lab employees. Laboratory technician, research associate, laboratory manager, research scientist, professor (colleges and universities), lead scientist (private company), and principal investigator are some of the job titles in microbiology research (government lab, non-profit organizations). Clinical laboratory specialists in hospitals, public health labs, private medical or veterinary diagnostic labs, and private companies who specialise in diagnostic microbiology.

In addition, some microbiologists merge their scientific knowledge with interests and abilities from other professions. A microbiology bachelor's degree is typically needed for these positions, along with a degree or additional training in a different field.

Benefits of a Career as a Microbiologist

For your convenience, some of the key advantages of pursuing a career as a microbiologist are listed below.

• Good Salary: In India, the average salary for a microbiologist is INR 309,000. Because the field is relatively new, candidates have a niche career option. Microbiologists in India can earn up to INR 600,000 after 10 years of experience
• Job Stability: A microbiologist in India can find work in a variety of specialisations such as research analyst, biomedical scientist, industrial microbiologist, and so on. A Microbiologist's job security, on the other hand, is non-existent. When working in the laboratory, the microbiologist must be extremely cautious. Any mishap can result in the technician losing his or her job
• Positive Career Influence: Microbiologists are engaged in the research of microorganisms and their various characteristics. The use of cutting-edge technologies to examine the test and culture medium can enhance an individual's career skill set. In addition, the prospect of working on the development of a new vaccine or vial solution can help a microbiologist's career
• Higher Education: Microbiologists have several options for furthering their education. Candidates with a bachelor's degree can pursue graduate studies. After completing PG courses, they can pursue a PhD. Individuals can also pursue higher education in other countries
• Unique Experience: The development of new vaccines that can stop the spread of diseases and can save millions of lives has been a specialty of microbiologists. Microbiologists research the characteristics of the microbes that aid in the production of various foods and related goods. They have the unique experience of assisting in millions of people's food security. People working in this field have the opportunity to complete a variety of difficult tasks that can boost their job engagement

Books & Study Material to Become Microbiologist

Students pursuing courses in Microbiology can refer the following books for enhancing the knowledge and for entrance exams.

• Microbiology: An Introduction by Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell R. Funke and Christine L. Case
• Brock Biology of Microorganisms by Michael T. Madigan, John M. Martinko, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley, David A. Stahl and Thomas Brock
• Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple by Mark Gladwin, Bill Trattler and C. Scott Mahan
• Prescott’s Microbiology by Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood and Christopher J. Woolverton
• Jawetz Melnick & Adelbergs Medical Microbiology by Geo. Brooks, Karen C. Carroll, Janet Butel and Stephen Morse
• Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology by Patricia Tille

Pros of becoming a Microbiologist

• Varied specialisations in the field of biology are a boon to people associated with it. There is a lot of scope for the development of a career.
• Flexible working conditions

Cons of becoming a Microbiologist

• The highly competitive job market
• Possible exposure to hazardous materials