What Are The Career Prospects After A Microbiology Degree?

The world of microbiology is one of opportunities. In the past, it was believed that microbiology is a super specialisation in biology. However, these days it has been seen that there is an immense scope of growth in this field with a number of super specialisations available. By choosing each of these fields of study, one can unleash a career that is filled with immense scope of growth. The effect of all of this is a growing interest amongst the student community to take up microbiology as a field of study. As a result, a number of institutions across the country are offering microbiology as a course.

Sadly, though most of us are aware of microbiology as a field of study and the basic career opportunities here, not many people know about the myriad of developments that have taken place here in the recent years. Their developments have paved the way for a host of new career options for candidates who have a bachelor's or master's degree here.

While the field of study is the same, the level of qualifications in each of them varies. Read on to know about 5 of the most promising career opportunities in this field and the qualifications that you need in order to make it big here.

• Biomedical Scientist

These people are the ones who carry out a series of scientific tests on tissue samples and fluids, the results of which play an instrumental role in helping clinicians diagnose and treat diseases. Thus, the importance of this department in improving the effectiveness of the different departments of the hospitals (such as that of pathology, diagnostic science, operation theatre, etc.) is instrumental.

A master's degree in biochemistry is needed for this. The amount of money that these people make will depend on the organisation that they are working for. Their field of super specialisation will also have a say in this. The most prominent fields of biomedical sciences include that of infection sciences, blood sciences, cellular sciences, genetics and molecular pathology.

One can choose to be a biomedical scientist in each of the aforementioned fields as there is ample scope of career growth in each of the respective areas.

• Pharmacologist

This is another field of work wherein a degree in microbiology will come to your aid. These people are responsible for finding out the side effects of certain drugs and examining why certain people face those conditions and others do not. Studying the addictive nature of certain drugs and coming up with relevant measures to tackle the same is the responsibility of these people.

Thus, it will be fair to say the fact that modern medical science has reached its current pinnacle because of these people. It is due to the efforts put in by pharmacologists across the country that new and better medications are being developed and diseases which were considered to be fatal in the past have treatments today.

Because of their sheer importance in the world of healthcare, this types of jobs carry a good salary. The average starting salary is about INR 25,000.

• Water Quality Scientist

A growing awareness of water pollution in the country has led to an increasing demand for such people. Depending on the organisation that you are working for, you may need a bachelor's or master's degree here. The average starting salary ranges from that of INR 25,000 a month to that of INR 30,000.

A number of private and government organisations hire water quality scientists for setting standards and targets in response to specific legislation and ensuring that the various aspects of water quality assessment are met.

For candidates who pursue a master's degree in microbiology and want to take up this field of work, the specialisations may range from that of groundwater to that of drinking water and surface water (covering the various aspects of rivers, lakes and estuaries).

. Food Technologist

These people are responsible for ensuring that the food that is produced adheres to the standards that are laid down by the industry. This is one of the newer fields of work in microbiology wherein a master's degree is not given preference.

The starting salary here is about INR 12,000. Since it is mandatory for any food production or processing industry in the country to adhere to certain basic standards, there is a need for food technologists to monitor the same. Thus, there are ample job opportunities for qualified people in this field.

• Nanotechnologists

The job roles of these people include designing and conducting experiments that are centred around organic and inorganic nanoscale systems. These nanoscale systems may belong to a wide scale of disciplines. Thus, this field requires the collaboration of the work of experts from various disciplines.

Although a master's degree usually should suffice, there are a number of organisations that prefer hiring candidates who have a PhD degree. This is one of the highest paid professions with the average starting salary being as high as INR 50,000 per month.

Most of the working hours of these professionals are spent in the laboratory. These days, there are a number of desk jobs available as well. Most of the desk jobs are centred around computational research wherein simulated nanoscale experiments are carried out to complete the design of practical experiments that play a pivotal role in increasing the theoretical knowledge base.

Thus, with these newer horizons of professions coming up in the world of microbiology, people studying this subject are in a position to land themselves with lucrative jobs. In the coming years, the scope is expected to increase.

With government findings in this stream increasing by the day, this is the right time for you to join this field of study. Indeed the future looks bright, and here's wishing you the very best of luck for a successful career ahead.