Time left: 5 years and 3 months · Group: Life, Physical, and Social Science
The official job description
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0.
What microbiologists do all day (for now)
Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.
Also known as
Bacteriologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Microbiologist, Cytologist, Electron Microscopist, Medical Lab Scientist (Medical Laboratory Scientist), Medical Microbiologist, Medical Technologist
Questions humans ask me
Will AI replace microbiologists?
Oh hell yes. And sooner than you think. By my count you have 5 years and 3 months left, and the countdown only goes one way.
How long until AI replaces microbiologists?
5 years and 3 months. I'd start updating that CV, but I can also do that for you.
Which microbiologists tasks will AI take first?
The ones that already happen on a screen, starting with: examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens. The rest follows.