Explore career options in microbiology / clinical sciences
Here you can find information on the types of careers and employment roles a microbiology / clinical sciences degree may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
Microbiologists and Scientists investigate the function and cell structure of living organisms, including the components of these such as blood, tissue, and organs from humans, animals, plants and micro-organisms. Examining and researching the likes of bacteria, fungi, viruses and their enzymes, provides insights that enable the improvement, creation and development of new products, materials and processes. Employers value the scientific, analytical and problem--solving skills developed by microbiology and clinical science graduates.
Career fields
* denotes further study at postgraduate level likely to be required
- Public health organisations
- Biotechnology companies
- Environmental consultancies
- Laboratories – Medical and Pathology
- Research centres
- Hospitals – public and private
- Pharmacology and pharmaceuticals
- Forensic science / toxicology
- Food research & development
- Petroleum industry
- Criminal justice system
- Biological manufacturing
- Agricultural sector
- Genetics*
- Medical & scientific research*
Employment roles
- Microbiologist
- Scientific officer / scientist
- Microbiology coordinator
- Laboratory technologist
- Microbiology analyst
- Laboratory assistant microbiology
- Medical scientist
- Medical laboratory technician
- Quality control microbiology analyst
- Laboratory and field technician
- Medical laboratory scientist
- Scientific sampler
- Technical officer
- Toxicology scientist
- Research scientist / officer
- Water quality scientist
- Manufacturing technician
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- GradConnection
- Department of Home Affairs careers
- Australian Federal Police vacancies
- Australian Public Service Jobs
- Brisbane City Council vacancies
- Queensland Courts
- Australian Local Government Directory
- Queensland Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Seek
- CS Executive Group
- Careers at CSIRO
- Ethical Jobs
- Environmental Jobs Network
- Evolve Scientific Recruitment
- Kelly Scientific Resources
- NRM Jobs - environmental sector
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. These associations hold regular professional development and networking events:
- Australian Society for Microbiology
- Society for Applied Microbiology (UK)
- AusBiotech
- Australian Society of Plant Scientists
- Australian Society for Medical Research
- Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Development Biology
- Australasian Society for Immunology
- Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society
- Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists & Toxicologists
- Australasian Society for Ecotoxicology
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The Program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career development
Learning@Griffith houses additional resources for your career development. To access these:
- Go to Learning@Griffith.
- Click Organisations.
- Search Careers and Employment.
- Click Enrol for students.