Microbiologist – ANZSCO 234517

Typical tasks and duties

Microbiologist may perform the following tasks:

• develop products, such as antibiotics, detergents or cosmetics, that either combat diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms or harness the positive capabilities of microorganisms
• test samples from patients, isolating and identifying the microbes that cause illness, examining their susceptibility to antibiotics and giving advice about appropriate treatment
• prevent and control the spread of harmful microbes in hospitals, the food industry and the general population
• advise the government about public health policies
• examine natural products for their ability to inhibit the growth of dangerous microbes and apply their findings to the medical and food industries
• investigate the potential of microbes to improve human and animal health through nutrition
• develop and improve fermented drinks and foods, such as beer, wine, cheese and yoghurt
• research the microbiology of plants and use microbes to control pests, weeds and animal diseases
• study DNA and the use of bacteria to introduce specially engineered genes into an organism in order to fight disease or to change a specific feature of the organism
• use their knowledge of microbiology to minimise the environmental impact of production and clean up existing pollution
• investigate the ways in which microorganisms can be used to improve and enhance products that impact on quality of life, such as food and beverages.