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Microbiologist

Microbiologist Image

Microbiologists use various types of microscope and other equipment to study the biology and chemistry of organisms (or microbes) too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Some microbes can cause infections but many are of benefit to humans. They may also be called clinical or medical microbiologists or clinical scientists.

The Work

You could be:

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

The starting salary for new graduates is around £20,000 to £23,000. An experienced microbiologist, including those in research posts, may earn up to around £39,000 a year. Some microbiologists with high levels of responsibility earn more than £45,000 a year.

Registered clinical scientists (microbiology) in the NHS are generally on Agenda for Change Band 7, £48,788 to £56,747 a year. Principal clinical microbiologists are on Band 8a, £60,126 to £64,906 a year and Band 8b, £70,986 to £75,937 a year. Pre-registration trainees are on Band 6, £39,912 to £48,635 a year.

You could also work as a specialist biomedical scientist within the NHS on Band 6, £39,912 to £48,635 a year.

The current pay scales are from April 2024.

Conditions

Workforce Employment Status

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Useful Subjects

Getting In

Typical employers of new microbiology graduates are varied and can include the National Health Service (NHS), pharmaceutical and biochemical companies, brewing and food manufacturing, government agencies, universities and research institutions and private laboratories.

You can also work in a range of positions outside of the laboratory. You might work in technical writing or editing, finance, retail, management and teaching.

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

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Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland
2024
3914
3.5 %
RISE
2029
4051
  United Kingdom
2024
45630
4.8 %
RISE
2029
47823

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What Does it Take?

You need to be:

You need to have:

Training

Getting On

More Information

If you are interested in microbiology you might be interested in Microbiology Online.

Video

Courtesy of KQED Quest

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

Association of Clinical Scientists
Tel: 020 7940 8960
E-mail: info@assclinsci.org
Website: http://www.assclinsci.org

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
Tel: 0207 9303477
Website: http://www.abpi.org.uk
Twitter: @ABPI_UK

Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
Tel: 020 7603 6316
E-mail: info@ifst.org
Website: https://www.ifst.org/
Website (2): http://www.ifst.org/lovefoodlovescience
Twitter: @ifstnews
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InstituteofFoodScienceandTechnology/

Microbiology Society
Tel: 020 3034 4870
E-mail: info@microbiologysociety.org
Website: http://microbiologysociety.org
Twitter: @MicrobioSoc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicrobiologySociety

Royal Society of Biology
Tel: 020 3925 3440
E-mail: education@rsb.org.uk
Website: http://www.rsb.org.uk
Twitter: @RoyalSocBio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalSocBio

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Biology

Chemistry and Materials Science

Food Science and Technology

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