By: Claire Wilson. Last Updated: April 2022

What is a Microbiologist and what do they do

What is a Microbiologist?

A Microbiologist is a scientific professional who studies microorganisms. They play a key role in pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing by testing to monitor levels of microbial contamination at all stages of the manufacturing process.

What is Microbiology?

Microbiology is the field of science that focuses on the characteristics of microorganisms. This is the word used for small living things that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Examples of microorganisms include bacteria and fungi. Despite their small size, some of these microorganisms can be extremely dangerous to humans.

Within pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing, it is essential that products are not exposed to harmful microorganisms. Microbiologists are often employed to test, monitor and report on the presence of harmful microorganisms within the manufacturing process.

There is a key role played by Microbiologists in the research and development (R&D) stages of pharmaceutical products. Microorganisms are used in development and testing of new drugs that treat or prevent the damage they cause (such as new antibiotics). Non-harmful microorganisms can also be useful within products.

Understanding and manipulating microorganisms can be extremely useful in the development of new therapies and microbiologists will play a big part in that. But for the remainder of this article, we’re going to focus on the role that Microbiologists play in the manufacturing process of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

What Does a Microbiologist Do?

Contamination of a medical device or drug product could be extremely dangerous. As a result, Microbiologists are employed to carry out a number of duties throughout the manufacturing process.

This includes testing and monitoring of raw materials (e.g. water will be purified), the environment (e.g. air samples will be taken), equipment (e.g. samples from machines and tools will be routinely tested), and end products (e.g. each batch of the final product will be specifically tested for contamination).

There are strict regulations around the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and medical devices – Microbiologists working in this field will follow these closely. By following the industry manufacturing regulations, the risks posed by microorganisms can be minimized.

Within the manufacturing team, Microbiologists will typically operate within the Quality Department.

The role will depend greatly on what is being produced and how it is manufactured. Some products are manufactured in sterile environments – these products must remain free of all microorganisms (whether they are specifically harmful or not). Other products are manufactured in non-sterile environments – these products can contain some microorganisms, but only up to a strict pre-defined limit.

In general, the role will concentrate on an area such as:

  • Ensuring that raw materials are free from microorganism contamination
  • Careful observation of the number and types of microorganisms present in the manufacturing environment
  • Making sure that finished products remain sterile and free from contamination (in sterile manufacturing) and within the previously agreed limits (for non-sterile manufacturing)
  • Testing to see how the product would cope with contamination during “real world” use

The specific tasks involved with a job will depend on the manufacturing processes involved as well as the end product. As examples, tasks might include:

  • Calibration and auditing of scientific equipment
  • Designing and implementing strategies to assess and control contamination
  • Running routine collection and testing of raw materials, samples from the manufacturing environment and/or the final product
  • Growing, monitoring and identifying microorganisms within cultures
  • Strict record keeping and storage of test result data
  • Analysis and interpretation of test results
  • Reporting issues of contamination following strict protocols
  • Supervision of laboratory-based technicians

Microbiologists will be testing for things such as the presence of microorganisms, the number and type of microorganism present and how well microorganisms can grow when a product is exposed to “real-world” use.

Becoming a Microbiologist

To become a Microbiologist within a pharmaceutical or medical device company, you will typically need a Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in microbiology or related subject (such as cell biology or biochemistry). You will also generally need significant experience in laboratory procedures.

If you are already a Microbiologist but want to retrain for other science roles in Development, Manufacturing, and Quality in the Pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, check out our Conversion Course into Science Roles in Pharma.

Depending on your previous experience, here are some of the most common job titles we see advertised;

  • Quality control – QC Specialist, QC Analyst, QC Scientist, QC Specialist – LIMS, Quality Control Microbiology Analyst, Quality Control Analyst FTC, Senior Quality Control Analyst,  QC Micro Technician, QC Drug Product Technologist, QC Stability Co-ordinator (Senior Analyst).
  • Quality assurance – QA Specialist, QA Internal Auditor, QA Compliance Specialist, QMS/QA Specialist, QA Compliance Manager, QA Specialist – Raw Materials
  • Development – Tech Transfer Scientist Jobs, Process Technology Transfer Scientist, Transfer Scientist, Product and Process development scientists
  • Science roles that support manufacturing – Microbiology/Particle Analyst, Environmental Microbiologist, Production Scientist, Process Scientist / Specialist – Purification, Process Scientist / Specialist – In-Process Control

What Skills Do I Need?

The skills needed to be an effective Microbiologist are varied. They include:

  • Attention to detail – need to be able to spot the smallest deviations from normal within these manufacturing settings. Also, need to carry out their work with precision and accuracy
  • Analytical Skills – if contamination is found, must be able to establish which microorganisms they’re dealing with and how such contamination might have happened
  • Computer Skills – testing data and analysis will all be stored on computer-based systems
  • Communication Skills – have to be able to explain scientific principles to stakeholders of all levels
  • Team Working – must be able to effectively work as a member of the quality team

Microbiologist Salaries & Job Growth

Check out our salary guide for Microbiologist salary information local to you.

Microbiologist Resume Tips

As with all resumes, it’s extremely important that you tailor your Microbiologist resume to reflect the language used within the job advert. Where you have relevant experience or skills, use the words and phrases that the employer has used to describe them. Do not assume that someone will read similar wording and know what you mean.

Microbiologist roles will typically be looking for the skills previously outlined:

  • Attention to detail 
  • Analytical Skills 
  • Computer Skills 
  • Communication Skills 
  • Team Working 

For more help with your resume, check out these templates and this list of 30 tips to improve your resume.

Microbiologist Job Vacancies

For more information on currently available Microbiologist roles near you, head to our jobs boards and select Science in the “Jobs by Category” menu. Some companies might also list jobs as Quality (QA) Microbiologists – these will be in the Quality category. We currently have jobs boards for Ireland and the UK 

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About the Author

Image with Claire Wilison from GetReskilled Team

Claire Wilson

Content Marketing and Career Coaching

Claire runs GetReskilled’s Advanced Career Coaching Programme – our specially devised job hunting course that helps our trainees take that final step into employment by leading them through the job hunting process. She is extremely enthusiastic about helping people reach their final goal of employment in their new career path.

Claire has a BSc (Hons) in Medical Biology from Edinburgh University and spent 7 years working in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.