Are you aspiring to be a microbiologist but you are confused on the career opportunities in microbiology? Then you’ve come to the right place, i have come across many microbiology students who are still stucked with this question; where can a microbiologist work? This has made me to go on a research to know the job opportunities and salary structure of microbiologist in Nigeria.
Who Is A Microbiologist?
A microbiologist is person who study microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria, these are organisms which are too small for us to see with our naked eyes hence microbiologists use microscopes to see them.
Microbiologist are responsible for the creation of vaccines to fight illnesses, they also study organisms that are responsible for the metabolism of crude or petroleum products. The also ensure that raw materials are sterilized before being used.
Job Opportunities In Microbiology In Nigeria
Over the years, the importance of microbiology have waxed stronger and numerous job opportunities has been created for microbiologists here in Nigeria.
Microbiology is a lucrative course in Nigeria because it has a wide range of career opportunities as it can fit into the pharmaceutical, petroleum, agricultural, educational, industrial and environmental sectors.
Let’s dive into the sectors a microbiologist can work in:
Pharmaceutical Company:
The pharmaceutical sector is the most popular field in microbiology, a microbiologist can work in a pharmacy as a researcher, they can also create vaccines in a pharmaceutical laboratory because microbiologist are responsible to study the disease causing viruses and bacteria so that an antibiotic can be created to fight against them.
Hospitals And Clinics
Microbiologists are also needed in hospitals and clinics, they can work laboratory attendant.
Their work in hospitals is to carry out tests on people and patients which makes them an alternative to the medical laboratory scientists.
Veterinary Hospitals
A microbiologist can work in a veterinary hospital as a veterinary microbiologist. They are veterinarians that studies the microorganisms that causes illnesses in animals. There are several veterinary hospitals in Nigeria that needs the service of a microbiologist.
FMCG Industries
FMCG means fast moving consumer goods. These are industries that produces foods that are in high consumer demand.
FMCG is one of the most profitable job that a microbiologist can get involved in, microbiologists are highly needed in FMCG industries which has paved the way for employment opportunities to microbiology graduates.
Education Sector
Microbiologist will go into extinction if there are no teacher who would take up the responsibility to train people who will function in that field.
The education sector is also one of the career opportunity in microbiology, you can as a lecture in secondary schools, colleges, polytechnics and universities.
The qualifications to work as a microbiology lecturer in the tertiary is that you must attain a certain qualification in the field of microbiology.
Health Care Organizations
There are diverse health care organizations where a microbiologist can work in, organizations like SON (standard organization of Nigeria), NAFDAC, WHO employ a massive number of microbiologists every year.
This are regulatory organizations that are responsible in making sure that goods/products are fit for consumption.
Enviromental Sector
Environmental microbiologist are people who work in the field environmental science.
They make sure that the environments isn’t polluted, they create vaccines against microorganisms which are harmful to the environments. There are many companies who employ environmental microbiologist in Nigeria.
Reserarch Institute/Research Assistant
A microbiologist can work in research institute as a lecturer. They can also work in as a research assistant in a research center, research assistant are people who provide technical support to researchers in laboratories.
There are different research institutes and research centers who needs the service of a microbiologist here in Nigeria.
Petroleum Industry
A microbiologist can work in petroleum industries like shell, NNPC, chevron, Exxon Mobil etc. The petroleum industry falls under industrial microbiology, the petroleum sector is one of the most lucrative place a microbiologist can work in Nigeria.
Microbiolgy Salary Structure In Nigeria
The salary microbiologist earn differs as it depends on your years of experience, company and field of work.
Below is the list of microbiology salary in Nigeria:
Pharmaceutical Company
Microbiologist who work in pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria earnings ranges from ₦50,000 – ₦80,000.
Hospitals/Clinics
Microbiologists who work in gets between ₦60,000 – ₦100,000. Note that payment range may differ as it depends if you are working for a public or a private hospital or clinic.
Verterinary Hospitals
Microbiologist who work in verterinary hospitals earns about ₦30,000 – ₦60,000.
FMCG Industry
Working in a FMCG industry as a microbiologist can fetch you up to ₦45,000 – ₦200,000 monthly.
Education
Microbiologists who work in the educational sector either as an academic or non academic staff typically earns about ₦30,000 – ₦150,000.
Health Care
Microbiologists who work in a health care organization as a microbiologist earns about ₦80,000 – ₦250,000.
Enviromental Sector
The environmental sector pays their workers (microbiologists) up to ₦70,000 – ₦180,000.
Research Institutes/Assistant
Microbiologists who work as research assistant and who also work in research institutes earns about ₦50,000 – ₦120,000.
Petroleums Industry
The petroleum industry is considered as one of the most lucrative industries a microbiologist can work in. Microbiologist in petroleum industries earn about ₦150,000 – ₦300,000.
Conclusion On Job Opportunities In Microbiology
Microbiology is a lucrative profession and has a vast amount of career opportunities and the salary is quite decent. I hope your question on job opportunities in microbiology has been answered.
Can a microbiologist work in a veterinary hospital?
Yes they can, a microbiologist can work in a pharmacy of a veterinary hospital.