Graduate careers advice: you and your microbiology degree

Graduate careers advice for what career options you can pursue with your microbiology degree

Related jobs include:

• Biotechnologist
• Clinical research officer
• Clinical researcher
• Forensic scientist
• Marine scientist
• Microbiologist, clinical
• Pharmacologist
• Research scientist

Work experience

Laboratory experience is recommended for anyone seeking a science related career. Your degree may offer a year-long work placement involving scientific research in industry or work with a government research laboratory.

Some companies may be willing to fund your summer research work in a laboratory. Your careers service can provide further information on this. Laboratories at your local hospital may also offer you a chance to gain work experience.

Joining a professional body like the Irish Society of Clinical Microbiologists (ISCM) will give you the opportunity to build contacts and avail of grants and access to conferences.

More information on work experience can be found here.

What sectors?

Other areas of biology like genetics, immunology and molecular biology overlap with microbiology, meaning employment opportunities exist across a variety of sectors. Employers include:

• the HSE;
• private healthcare facilities;
• environmental bodies;
• forensic science laboratories;
• higher education;
• industries like petroleum, food and drink, pharmaceuticals, water and biotechnology;
• research organisations.

Your microbiology CV

Subject specific skills acquired with a microbiology degree include:

• critical evaluation of information;
• investigation and analysis;
• the ability to prepare and communicate data;
• rational thinking;
• the ability to carry out laboratory experiments in a responsible, safe and ethical manner.

Transferable skills include:

• IT skills;
• teamwork;
• communication;
• flexibility;
• problem-solving;
• time management;
• the ability to assess the performances of yourself and others.

Postgraduate study

Microbiology graduates sometimes go on to study at Masters or PhD level in subjects like:

• biochemistry;
• biotechnology;
• genetics;
• environmental microbiology;
• medical microbiology;
• bioinformatics;
• molecular biology.

You could also proceed to a graduate-entry programme in medicine.

Microbiology graduates may choose to branch out and study subjects like journalism, computing, science communication, marketing, business, finance, law and teaching.

More information can be found in our Further Study section.