Mycology Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

To get a job in mycology, you need an education in biology through a bachelor’s degree or higher. Studies and hands-on experience in environmental science, botany, ecology, chemistry, conservation, or another life science can satisfy employers’ requirements for entry-level mycology roles, such as lab assistant or research assistant jobs. Minimum qualifications for mycologist and research mycology roles include a Ph.D. or master’s degree in mycology, ecology, fermentation, forest pathology, or biology. Experience working with and maintaining laboratory equipment, familiarity with common fungi and mycology, and physical stamina for fieldwork are necessary skills in both entry-level and higher-level mycology roles.

Jobs in mycology include mycologists and researchers who study fungi. Working in mycology, you focus on fungi and their relationship to plants, animals, and other organisms. As a research assistant, biologist, or mycologist, you research fungi, such as mushrooms, and investigate their effects on the local ecosystem. Your responsibilities include performing lab experiments, utilizing programming tools for data processing, and growing fungi to novel strains. You can work for research facilities, colleges, biotechnology companies, or agriculture organizations, with your duties spanning research, cultivation, team collaboration, and manufacturing. You may work in the field or in a laboratory, and you often work with teams to document and summarize your findings.