Food microbiologists work on the front line of
food safety. Employed by food manufacturers, the government, and universities,
these specialists study food-borne pathogens and work on disease prevention.
Their research ensures food products abide by government regulations regarding
food health and safety. Food microbiologists may need an advanced degree for
some positions. More microbiologists will be needed to contribute to basic
research, solve problems encountered in industrial production processes, and monitor
environmental conditions to ensure the public’s health and safety. However,
employment of microbiologists in the federal government is projected to decline.
Food microbiologist job duties
· Research micro-organisms in food in
order to prevent food-borne disease and illness
· Study how microbes harm food
· Participate in the establishment and
enforcement of food legislation
· Observe how the processing and
packaging of food products affects food preservation over time
· Recommend and implement improvements
which ensure that manufacturers are complying with food processing and
packaging health regulations
· May teach post-secondary courses.
Many microbiologists work in
research and development conducting basic research or applied research. The aim
of basic research is to increase their scientific knowledge. An example
is growing strains of bacteria in various conditions to learn how they react to
those conditions. Other microbiologists conduct applied research and develop
new products to solve particular problems in many fields. For example,
microbiologists may develop genetically engineered crops, better biofuels, or
new vaccines.
Microbiologists use computers and
a wide variety of sophisticated laboratory instruments to do their experiments.
Electron microscopes are used to study bacteria, and advanced computer software
is used to analyze the growth of microorganisms found in samples.
It is increasingly common for
microbiologists to work on teams with technicians and scientists in other
fields, because many scientific research projects involve multiple
disciplines.
Requirements for
a Food Microbiologist
Students obtain a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or Biology. Courses in these programs generally explore
topics in microbial physiology, reproduction, and genetics. Students also take
lab courses in which they use microscopes and other equipment to observe microorganisms
and report on their findings.
Advanced Degree
Aspiring food microbiologists may
need to complete a master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy in foodmicrobiology, food science, or a related field. Coursework may include organic
chemistry, microbiology, statistics, physics, virology, plant pathology, and
microbial genetics. Graduate students may also look for internships and
research positions where they may work alongside experienced foodmicrobiologists.
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