Description
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. May study relationships between organisms and disease and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
- • Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics with microscopes to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- • Provide laboratory services for health departments, environmental health programs, and physicians for diagnosis and treatment support.
- • Observe microbial interactions with living tissues and dead organic matter.
- • Investigate organism–disease relationships, epidemic control, and antibiotic effects.
- • Study microbial growth, structure, and development to assess impacts on human, plant, and animal health.
- • Prepare technical reports and recommendations based on research findings.
- • Study the structure and function of tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.
- • Operate specialized equipment (e.g., electron microscopes, GC/HPLC, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, flow cytometers, phosphorimagers).
- • Conduct chemical analyses of acids, alcohols, enzymes, and related compounds.
- • Research microbial applications to produce vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids, alcohols, sugars, and polymers.
- • Isolate and maintain microbial cultures, controlling media, moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrients.
- • Test water, food, and environmental samples to detect harmful microbes and trace contamination sources.
- • Develop products and procedures for sterilization, preservation, and microbial contamination detection.
- • Supervise technologists, technicians, and other scientists.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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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
