Responsibilities
Tasks vary depending on your area of specialism. For example, healthcare scientists working in microbiology will be involved in preventing, diagnosing and controlling the spread of infections, whereas those working in manufacturing may be involved in quality control, checking for signs of contamination.

Depending on your areas of expertise, you'll typically need to:

monitor and identify microorganisms
track microorganisms in a range of environments
monitor and assess samples from a range of sources
follow regular sampling schedules within a specific environment
use a variety of identification methods, including molecular techniques, to test samples
develop new techniques, products and processes
develop and plan methods to prevent the spread of disease
develop and register new medicines, vaccines, diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical products
plan, implement and evaluate new products in clinical trials
collect samples from different types of environments, such as agricultural sites
develop products such as enzymes, vitamins, hormones and antimicrobials
grow microbial cultures, e.g. for use in the food and drink industry or in agriculture
work with specialist computer software to undertake studies and research
manage and oversee laboratory work.