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Medical Microbiologist Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

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Medical Microbiologist information

See Oregon salary details

$36.5K

$74.7K

$133.2K

How much do medical microbiologist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for medical microbiologist in Oregon is $74,694.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,400.00 and $87,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical microbiologist?

Medical microbiologists are scientists who study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that cause diseases in humans. They work in laboratories to identify and characterize pathogens, support diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Their work is essential in clinical settings, public health, and research, often involving collaboration with doctors, epidemiologists, and other healthcare professionals.

What are some typical challenges a medical microbiologist faces when diagnosing infectious diseases in a clinical setting?

Medical Microbiologists often encounter challenges such as distinguishing between contaminant and pathogenic organisms in samples, keeping up with emerging and drug-resistant pathogens, and ensuring rapid turnaround times for test results. Accurate diagnosis requires careful interpretation of laboratory data in conjunction with patient history and symptoms, often necessitating collaboration with clinicians and infection control teams. Staying current with advances in diagnostic technologies and antimicrobial stewardship practices is also essential for effective performance in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medical microbiologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medical Microbiologist, you need a solid background in microbiology, laboratory techniques, and a relevant degree such as a BSc, MSc, or PhD in microbiology or a related field. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, laboratory information systems, and certifications like ASCP or equivalent are typically necessary. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set outstanding professionals apart in this role. These skills ensure accurate diagnosis, effective collaboration with healthcare teams, and the safe management of infectious diseases in clinical settings.

What is the difference between Medical Microbiologist vs Clinical Laboratory Scientist?

AspectMedical MicrobiologistClinical Laboratory Scientist
CredentialsMedical degree, microbiology residency, board certificationBachelor's or master's in medical laboratory science, certification often required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, public health labs, research institutionsHospital labs, diagnostic labs, clinics
Job FocusIdentifying pathogens, studying infectious diseases, researchPerforming diagnostic tests, analyzing samples, reporting results

Medical Microbiologists and Clinical Laboratory Scientists both work in laboratory settings and require related certifications. However, Medical Microbiologists typically have advanced training in microbiology and focus on disease research and pathogen identification, while Clinical Laboratory Scientists primarily perform diagnostic testing to support patient care.

What can I do with a degree in medical microbiologist?

A degree in medical microbiology prepares individuals for roles such as clinical microbiologist, laboratory technician, or research scientist in healthcare settings. These professionals analyze infectious agents, perform diagnostic tests, and contribute to disease control and prevention, often working in hospitals, public health labs, or research institutions. Certification and laboratory skills are typically required for employment.
Infographic showing various Medical Microbiologist job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,694 per year, or $35.9 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Job description

Department Overview

Oregon Health & Science University is a nationally prominent research university and Oregon's only public academic health center. The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine has a collegial faculty, AP/CP residency program, a post-sophomore fellowship program, and eight post-graduate fellowship programs. OHSU offers a variety of collaborative research opportunities and is home to the Knight Cancer Institute, an international leader in research and cancer treatment. We are supported by excellent molecular genetic laboratories and state-of-the-art core laboratory.

As a part of a tertiary care academic medical center, the OHSU Microbiology Laboratory integrates advanced clinical diagnostics, translational research, and education to support the care of patients with complex, rare, and life-threatening infections. The laboratory provides comprehensive testing services for hospitalized and immunocompromised populations, including transplant recipients, oncology patients, and those requiring specialized or reference-level diagnostics, while also advancing the understanding, detection, prevention, and management of infectious diseases. In parallel, it serves as a training environment for residents, fellows, students, and laboratory professionals, contributing to the development of the next generation of clinicians, scientists, and healthcare leaders.

This position is under the overall supervision of the Chair of Pathology. The appointee shall provide services, as assigned by the chair, in furtherance of the university's missions of patient care, research, education, outreach and public service.

Function/Duties of Position

This position will serve as Medical Director of conventional (culture based) clinical microbiology, including bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, and parasitology, utilizing culture, microscopy, and phenotypic methods for organism detection and identification. The Medical Director will be responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and innovative laboratory operations, including test utilization, quality management, regulatory oversight, and clinical consultation. The role includes participation in evening call coverage with backup from other Clinical Pathology faculty. Additional expertise in other areas of Clinical Pathology is welcomed.

A major expectation of this position is that the appointee will function as a physician-scientist with a significant and sustained commitment to research. The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing the academic and research mission of the Department by integrating clinical microbiology service with an independent and/or highly collaborative research program. The appointee will be expected to establish, maintain, and grow an extramurally funded research program aligned with institutional priorities in microbiology, infectious diseases, diagnostics, host-microbe interactions, antimicrobial resistance, pathogen discovery, clinical microbiology innovation, or related areas.

Responsibilities include designing and conducting clinical, translational, and/or basic science research; securing external funding through grants and contracts; publishing in peer-reviewed journals; and contributing to multidisciplinary research initiatives. The faculty member will collaborate closely with clinical investigators, basic scientists, and public health partners to advance innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in infectious diseases. Participation in research training programs and mentorship of trainees is expected. The position will work closely with the Division of Infectious Diseases to develop novel diagnostic paradigms and with research scientists to expand microbiology research initiatives across the institution.

Educational responsibilities include mentoring and teaching residents and fellows, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and visiting scholars, as well as providing formal didactic instruction at the medical student, graduate, and postgraduate levels, including lectures, course leadership, and curriculum development. Active participation in training physician-scientists and laboratory professionals is expected.

The effort for this position at present is divided: 50% cFTE, 50% rFTE, with adequate time for teaching built into each set of expectations.

Required Qualifications

Board certification in Clinical Pathology, Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology with microbiology specialty board eligibility/certification or microbiology PhD with ABMM certification. Interest in providing the highest quality medical care and medical education and actively participating in clinical scholar-type research resulting in publication. The best-qualified candidate will be a recognized expert in microbiology and demonstrate interest in enhancing Clinical Pathology services and test offerings, a willingness to build a new laboratory from the ground up, exceptional communication skills, a positive attitude, and demonstrable leadership skills.

Additional Details

#PathologyFaculty

Why apply to OHSU?We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.eduEmployment Type: OTHER

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About Oregon Health & Science University

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Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887