Microbiologists

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment for microbiologists will grow by 5 percent, about as fast as the average for all careers, through 2028. Microbiologists will continue to be needed to take recent research and knowledge, such as the isolation and identification of genes and biological drugs that are produced with the aid of microorganisms, to the next level. The focus on cleaning up and preserving the environment will add to job growth for biological scientists. The DOL reports that "efforts to find more clean sources of energy will involve microbiologists, such as mycologists and industrial microbiologists, who research and develop alternative energy sourcs such as biofuels and biomass." Concern over bioterrorism may also create employment opportunities for microbiologists.

Microbiologists will also be in demand by the agricultural sector to help develop genetically engineered crops that provide larger yields and require less fertilizer and pesticides. Positions will also be available in nonscientific, biology-related areas such as sales, marketing, and research managements, as well as in science and engineering technology. Microbiologists with advanced degrees may find more opportunities in private industry.

Other areas that will be in need of skilled microbiologists include anti-infectives, biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, mycology, and vaccines. Biofilm research is a relatively new and growing area of microbiology. This type of research concerns bacteria that band together and attach to a surface, where they grow.

As long as germs are present in our world, there should always be a need for microbiologists to detect and examine them. There will be need for microbiologists to research and develop new treatments and medicines, such as antibiotics and vaccines, as well as the need to develop microogranism-aided drugs for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Competition will be keen for jobs at federal agencies. Government research and development expenditures have slowed in recent years, and many scientists are competing for research grants. Microbiologists with familiarity of other disciplines will have the best job prospects.