Certain people are concerned about where a microbiologist in Nigeria should work because it appears that one may easily find a job as a microbiologist outside the country.
Well, I would say that there are some firms and workplaces that a microbiologist should work in and also workspaces and firms that do need microbiologists even though much emphasis is not placed on them.
You might be amazed at the type of firm here that does need microbiologists, like it’s said in the quote “information is power”.
We start with the basics.
Article Road Map
Who Is A Microbiologist?
Microbiologists research how microorganisms interact with us and how they affect our lives, as well as the roles these tiny organisms play in the environment.
They are scientists who study microorganisms, which are organisms that are too small to view with the naked eye, necessitating the use of microscopes to observe and study them.
Read also: Work From Home 2021:The Top 100 Companies For Remote Jobs
Humans, animals, and plants are all at risk from some of these bacteria.
Many microbes, on the other hand, are helpful because they perform tasks that are necessary for life on Earth and can be used in industry and medicine.
Where A Microbiologist Should Work
They are several places that a microbiologist should or could work in Nigeria, they include the following listed and discussed below.
Hospitals, universities, medical institutions, government laboratories, and practically every sector use microbiologists.
They work in a variety of fields, from agriculture to the space business.
Note: Your level of education as a microbiologist also determines or helps in the kind of job you are likely to get, a master's holder can not be compared with that of a BSc holder.
Because Microbiology is intertwined with other branches of biology such as Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Immunology, there are chances for Microbiology-related jobs in a variety of fields.
This leads to their typical employers, those that are likely to employ them, they include:
- Private hospitals and healthcare groups.
- Organizations dedicated to public health.
- Environmental advocacy groups.
- Petroleum, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, toiletries, water, and biotechnology corporations are examples of industries.
- Laboratories of forensic science.
- Organizations that get government funding for research.
- Institutions of public education.
Read also: Reasons Why You Should Work From Home
Based on profession, a microbiologist can work as:
- Food, Industrial or Environmental Microbiologists, and Quality Assurance Technologists.
- Clinical and Veterinary Microbiologists, Medical Technologists.
- Sales or Technical Representatives.
- Research Assistant.
- Petroleum industry.
- Chemical Industries.
- Forensic science laboratories
Food, Industrial or Environmental Microbiologists, and Quality Assurance Technologists
Working in Industries, hospitals, or government agencies (e.g. NAFDAC, SON, etc.), these professionals check for the quality and safety of vitamins, vaccinations, antibiotics, and antiseptics. In addition, they detect dangerous bacteria in water, food, dairy, pharmaceutical, and environmental items.
Clinical and Veterinary Microbiologists, Medical Technologists
These professionals are usually found in veterinary clinics or hospitals, where they identify disease-causing germs (microbes) in humans and animals.
A veterinary microbiologist, microbiologist can work in a veterinary hospital.
They are veterinarians who research the germs that cause animal sickness.
In Nigeria, several veterinary facilities require the services of a microbiologist.
You might like: Do You Get Paid Extra For Working On A Holiday?
Sales or Technical Representatives
Microbiologists can give prospective clients knowledge on medications and other medical or scientific products.
Research Assistant
They can also work as a research assistant in a research center; research assistants aid researchers in laboratories with technological issues.
Working in a team with other scientists and a research director, these microbiologists give technical support for doing research.
In Nigeria, there are numerous research institutes and research facilities that require the services of a microbiologist.
They could work in a laboratory for a company, a university, the government, or a medical school.
Petroleum industry
Environmental Microbiology includes petroleum microbiology.
Environmental microbiologists, ensure that the environment is not polluted and develop vaccines against germs that affect the ecosystem.
In Nigeria, environmental microbiologists are employed by a large number of companies.
As a Petroleum Microbiologist, you might be responsible for monitoring and studying oilfield microorganisms that cause corrosion of oil/gas pipelines and production installations.
Microbes that turn sweet oil and gas reservoirs sour; or you might be involved in using microorganisms to recover additional oil from spent oil reservoirs or convert non-recoverable crude oil to natural gas (methane).
This act also involves a process called Bio-remediation, which involves using microorganisms to clean up oil-polluted regions like that of Ogoni land or oily wastes, which is another area of exploitation for a Microbiologist in Nigeria due to significant oil contamination.
Note: Besides laboratory and technical work, a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology can pursue a variety of additional professional routes.
Microbiologists are also employed by several high-end restaurants to ensure the quality of the products they use.
Chemical Industries
Microbiologists can work in the chemical sector in Nigeria and throughout the world.
Industrial microbiologists research and tackle problems in the manufacturing industry.
They might look at microbial development in a chemical plant’s pipelines, monitor the influence of industrial waste on the local ecosystem, or supervise the microbial activity employed in production to ensure quality.
Also read: What is your work style?
Forensic science laboratories
Physical evidence, such as skin or hair samples, is analyzed by forensic microbiologists.
They may also gather evidence at the time of death, conduct toxicology research, and examine detectives’ and other investigators’ case notes.
Conclusion
With all of these written job descriptions for microbiologists, I’m sure you’re more convinced that they are places that a microbiologist should work and that there are openings in the field.
I would suggest you continue your education beyond your BSc level, as this would open up additional doors for you.