Description
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
- • Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- • Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- • Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
- • Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
- • Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
- • Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
- • Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
- • Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
- • Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
- • Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes.
- • Research use of bacteria and microorganisms to develop vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids, grain alcohol, sugars, and polymers.
- • Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- • Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
- • Develop new products and procedures for sterilization, food and pharmaceutical supply preservation, or microbial contamination detection.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
