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Applied Microbiology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Microbiology is a broad field of science encompassing a number of scientific disciplines or areas of science, the fields in which this science is applied, and related fields where the work is ...

Our work bridges microbiology, engineering, manufacturing, and applied research to create next-generation antimicrobial solutions. As a growing startup, we value scientific rigor, adaptability ...

Experience in industrial biotechnology or applied microbiology environments * Familiarity with scaling microbial processes or product development pipelines * Exposure to quality systems, regulatory ...

Microbiologist

Manhattan, KS · On-site +1

$89K - $163K/yr

Microbiology is a broad field of science encompassing a number of scientific disciplines or areas of science, the fields in which this science is applied, and related fields where the work is ...

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Applied Microbiology information

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$13

$21

$33

How much do applied microbiology jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for applied microbiology in the United States is $21.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is applied microbiology?

Applied microbiology is the branch of microbiology that focuses on using microorganisms—such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses—for practical purposes in industries like medicine, agriculture, food production, and environmental management. Professionals in this field study how microbes can be harnessed to produce antibiotics, ferment foods, clean up pollutants, and improve crop yields. Applied microbiologists often work in laboratories and collaborate with other scientists to develop new products and technologies that benefit society. This discipline bridges basic microbiological research and real-world applications to solve problems and create value.

Where can an applied Microbiologist work?

Applied Microbiologists can work in various settings including healthcare laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, food production facilities, environmental agencies, and research institutions. They often analyze samples, develop microbial products, or ensure safety standards, requiring knowledge of microbiological techniques and sometimes certifications. Employment can involve laboratory work, field sampling, or quality control tasks across multiple industries.

What can I do with a BS in microbiology?

A BS in microbiology prepares individuals for roles such as microbiologist, laboratory technician, quality control analyst, or research assistant in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food safety, or environmental sectors. These positions often require laboratory skills, knowledge of microbiological techniques, and familiarity with scientific equipment and safety protocols.

What jobs can I do with a microbiology degree?

A microbiology degree qualifies individuals for roles such as microbiologist, research scientist, quality control analyst, laboratory technician, and clinical laboratory technologist. These jobs often require skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and knowledge of microbiological methods, with employment available in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food safety, and environmental sectors.

What are some common challenges faced by applied microbiologists when working on industrial projects?

Applied microbiologists often encounter challenges such as optimizing microbial processes for large-scale production, ensuring contamination control, and meeting strict regulatory standards. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams—such as engineers, quality assurance, and production staff—is essential to address issues like scale-up from lab to manufacturing and troubleshooting unexpected microbial behavior. Staying current with new technologies and adapting to rapidly changing industry needs can also be demanding, but these challenges provide valuable learning opportunities and professional growth.

What is an applied Microbiologist?

An applied microbiologist is a professional who uses microbiology principles to solve practical problems in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, food safety, and environmental management. They often work in laboratories, utilizing techniques like culturing, microscopy, and molecular analysis, and may require relevant certifications or degrees in microbiology or related fields.

What is the difference between Applied Microbiology vs Microbiologist?

AspectApplied MicrobiologyMicrobiologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Microbiology or related field; certifications varyBachelor's or Master's in Microbiology; advanced roles may require PhD
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, industrial settings, healthcare, food productionResearch labs, healthcare, academia, industry
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, food industry, biotech, environmental agenciesResearch institutions, hospitals, biotech companies

Applied Microbiology focuses on practical applications of microbiology in industries like healthcare, food, and environment. Microbiologists often conduct research, study microorganisms, and develop new products or solutions. While both roles require microbiology knowledge, Applied Microbiology emphasizes applying this knowledge in real-world settings, whereas Microbiologists may focus more on research and discovery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Applied Microbiologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Applied Microbiologist, you need a solid background in microbiology, laboratory techniques, and data analysis, typically supported by a degree in microbiology or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), molecular biology tools, and relevant certifications like biosafety training are valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in this field. These competencies are crucial for ensuring accurate research, safe laboratory practices, and successful collaboration in developing solutions across healthcare, agriculture, and industry.
More about Applied Microbiology jobs
What states have the most Applied Microbiology jobs? States with the most job openings for Applied Microbiology jobs include:
Infographic showing various Applied Microbiology job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,914 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

$89K/yr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

This position is located at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural ResearchServices (ARS), National Bio And Agro-Defense Facility located in Manhattan, KS.
In this position, you will be providing technical and scientific support in the development of veterinary medical countermeasures; analyzing microbiological substances from microorganisms for biological development activities; and maintaining laboratory notebooks and documentation of procedures and findings.
Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Basic Requirements:
Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.
OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, virology, biology, genetics, biochemistry, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Graduate Education: Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food technology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work.
Evaluation of Education: Microbiology is a broad field of science encompassing a number of scientific disciplines or areas of science, the fields in which this science is applied, and related fields where the work is concerned with or involves microbiology. The scientific disciplines or areas of this science include bacteriology, immunology, serology, algology, mycology, parasitology, protozoology, rickettsiology, tissue culture, virology, and similar disciplines or areas of science. The applied fields include environmental, food, dairy, soil, industrial, public health, clinical, and agricultural microbiology, and similar areas in which microbiology is applied. Related fields include taxonomy and systematics, plant, animal, or human physiology or pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, ecology, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related or applies to microbiology. Except where the course work deals with a limited and specific segment of the science, where it might be limited in usefulness, most of the work, including that dealing with the development and use of microbiological methods, procedures, and techniques, is qualifying. In interpreting the substantive value of the course work, credit may be given for courses in related fields, depending on the degree to which the courses are related to micro-biological work.
Evaluation of Experience: For positions at GS-9 that involve a substantial amount of work in a specific specialized area or applied field of microbiology, at least 6 months of the experience must either have been in the appropriate area of specialization or applied field of microbiology, or have direct application in the area for which the applicant is being considered. For the GS-11 and higher grade levels of such specialized positions, the experience must have been sufficiently specialized to insure adequate familiarity with the area of specialization or applied field of microbiology, or have direct application in the area for which the applicant is being considered.
Alternate requirement: For GS-14 clinical and public health microbiology positions, certification by the American Board of Medical Microbiology/American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology, or election to Fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology fully meets the experience requirement for such positions.
In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet the following qualification requirements:
GS-12

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for the GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience providing technical and scientific support in the development of veterinary medical countermeasures; analyzing microbiological substances from microorganisms for biological development activities; and maintaining laboratory notebooks and documentation of procedures and findings.
GS-13
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-13 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-12 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in the preparation of data for scientific technical reports and manuscripts; providing technical or administrative supervision to a professional or technical staff; and interpreting research results and their microbiological implications to generate written reports for scientific journals, oral presentation, or meetings.
GS-14
Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-14 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-13 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is leading and managing an animal disease program for scientific research activities; ensuring diagnostic laboratory activities meet mandated requirements and regulations; and leading bio-pharmaceutical or veterinary bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing activities.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:Please see above for education qualification requirement information.Employment Type: OTHER