microbiology careers??

9

hi i'm going into upper sixth in september and i'm very keen on pursuing a microbiology degree. i am also thinking about just taking biology and specialise later on potentially. i'm wondering what career prospects, salary and work life will be like if i do take microbiology.

i have already done some research and i think i might aim for the nhs scientist training for microbiology. after i qualify, there are a lot of opportunities to get promoted. i believe consultant microbiologist pays upward of 90-100k.

are there any other careers that i should look into, perhaps maybe the private sector?? and have you got any advice for actually getting there as i know these types of jobs are competitive.
thanks

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by evsurfer

hi i'm going into upper sixth in september and i'm very keen on pursuing a microbiology degree. i am also thinking about just taking biology and specialise later on potentially. i'm wondering what career prospects, salary and work life will be like if i do take microbiology.
i have already done some research and i think i might aim for the nhs scientist training for microbiology. after i qualify, there are a lot of opportunities to get promoted. i believe consultant microbiologist pays upward of 90-100k.
are there any other careers that i should look into, perhaps maybe the private sector?? and have you got any advice for actually getting there as i know these types of jobs are competitive.
thanks

Hi @evsurfer

I'm a biochemist and I don't specialise in microbiology so I can't give you too much information regarding that career sector. In terms of making yourself more competitive for graduate roles, work experience is key. I'd absolutely look into a placement year as part of your degree so you can try to get experience in microbiology lab, or even just any biological research lab.

Getting this experience will help you decide what area you want to work in. Your interests are likely to change during your time at university, and you'll be able to pinpoint exactly what work you think would be more rewarding to you. It'll also help you make some really good connections - scientists are almost always willing to give careers advice and talk to you about their journey and what they'd recommend for you.

Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by evsurfer

hi i'm going into upper sixth in september and i'm very keen on pursuing a microbiology degree. i am also thinking about just taking biology and specialise later on potentially. i'm wondering what career prospects, salary and work life will be like if i do take microbiology.

i have already done some research and i think i might aim for the nhs scientist training for microbiology. after i qualify, there are a lot of opportunities to get promoted. i believe consultant microbiologist pays upward of 90-100k.

are there any other careers that i should look into, perhaps maybe the private sector?? and have you got any advice for actually getting there as i know these types of jobs are competitive.
thanks

I believe consultant microbiologists are medical doctors. I think there is a parallel role (consultant clinical scientist) for those who go in via the scientific route, but I don't know what their salary is on the AfC payscale.

Note that the NHS STP is competitive and there isn't a guarantee you'll get on it, so just something to bear in mind.

microbiology careers??

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