FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
School of Biological Sciences
Subject Group: Microbiology

Microbiology at work: Out of the laboratory

Being a microbiologist does not necessarily imply that you will spend your entire career staring into a microscope or confined to a laboratory.  There are opportunities in local government, civil service, industry and commerce.  With some laboratory experience behind you there is many possibilities in sales and marketing of laboratory equipment and consumables as you will be well equipped to address the concerns of your microbiology focused customers.

Another possibility is information sciences or librarianship.  As a microbiologist you could be employed as a technical or science writer for scientific publications, journals or books.

The field of law and accountancy is also available and in some cases scientists are popular with recruiters.  The explosion in biotechnology related businesses requires technology transfer specialists, development managers and patent lawyers.  For all these careers a solid underpinning of the scientific basis is essential.

Lastly the field of education is also available.  With some teacher training employment await in schools or further education colleges.  Some lectureships in universities are also available, but the successful candidate should preferably already have obtained some postgraduate qualification, preferably a PhD and worked for several years as a researcher.