Medical microbiology and virology (doctor)
Microbiologists and virologists diagnose, treat and prevent the spread of infection, making a major contribution to clinical infection management.
Both roles demand excellent clinical skills as well as first-class laboratory knowledge.
Life as a microbiologist
You’ll provide advice on the likely causes and suggest the best test to diagnose a patient suspected of having an infectious disease. The testing you’ll do may involve the identification of parasites under a microscope, the use of biochemical tests to identify colonies of bacteria or the use of molecular tests to identify organisms (or even specific genes), which may govern an organism’s behaviour.
You’ll be expected to interpret tests results and recommend appropriate further investigation and antibiotic treatment.
It’ll be your responsibility to ensure the delivery of prompt and accurate test results for patients. In cases where antimicrobial drugs are required, you’ll provide advice concerning the choice of such drugs and the duration of treatment.
The side effects of treatment along with the potential risk of encouraging further infections (some of which may be antibiotic-resistant) must be considered in tandem with any medical problems or allergies the patient might have. In doing so, you’ll play a major role in controlling the spread of infectious diseases, including the spread of hospital-based ‘super-bugs’ such as MRSA.
In your role, you’ll also contribute to the protection of public health by monitoring the patterns of infectious diseases.
You’ll usually work with clinical colleagues, GPs and laboratory staff rather than with patients directly. You’ll be hands-on and expected to perform:
- traditional culture techniques such as microbiological stains
- measuring antibody response to infection
- detection of microbial antigens
- nucleic acid amplification (polymerase chain reaction)
Life as a virologist
Your role will focus on viral infections, and your time will be divided between laboratories and clinics as well as working on hospital wards and in the wider community.
You’ll manage HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B and C. But the role of a virologist is rapidly evolving, and increasingly your challenge will be to manage the spread of emerging viruses like Covid-19 and combat the threat from bioterrorism and the use of agents like smallpox.
You’ll usually work directly with clinical colleagues, GPs and laboratory staff rather than with patients directly. You’ll be hands-on and expected to perform:
- antigen detection techniques
- high-throughput nucleic acid extraction techniques
How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' page.
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
"I’m passionate about my job because I believe in the importance of what I’m doing – promoting the rational use of antibiotics and of diagnostic tests. I love the breadth and variety that the specialty provides, and the fact that I’m learning new things every day."
Read Jonathan's story.
What are my chances of starting a career as a microbiologist or virologist?
There are approximately 444 microbiologist and 11 virologists working in the NHS in England.
How to become a microbiologist or virologist
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a microbiologist or virologist, which will take a minimum of four years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career as a microbiologist or virologist can take you
There are no sub-specialties in microbiology and virology but there are many opportunities to undertake research.
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Specialist Doctor in Medical Microbiology
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £100870.00 to £111441.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
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Locum Consultant Microbiologist/Infection Control Doctor
Hereford, HR1 2BN
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- Wye Valley NHS Trust
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Senior Locally Employed Doctor in Microbiology
Manchester, M13 9WL
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant Virologist
Liverpool, L7 8YE
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Dermatology Doctor
Swindon, SN3 3RB
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
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Dermatology Doctor
Wandsworth, SW18 4WW
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
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ENT Doctor
Worthing, BN11 3BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
ENT Doctor
Canterbury, CT1 1BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Slough, SL1 2EJ
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Leicester, LE1 2BU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Speciality Doctor
Lichfield, WS14 9LH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- St Giles Hospice
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Specialty Doctor
Hounslow, TW3 1SE
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- West London NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor
London, SE5 8UH
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dermatology Doctor
Canterbury, CT1 1BN
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Speciality Doctor
Workington, CA14 2AL
- Salary :
- £105000.00 to £115000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Humankind Charity
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Dermatology Doctor
Worthing, BN11 3BN
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Specialty Doctor
Brunel Road, , RG7 4AB
- Salary :
- £59175.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Sue Ryder
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Specialty Doctor - CAMHS
Stafford, ST19 9QT
- Salary :
- £90000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Active Care Group
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Specialty Doctor - Paediatrics
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Respiratory Speciality Doctor
Ashton-under-Lyne, OL69RW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Orthodontics
Southend, SS0 0RY
- Salary :
- £61542.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Cardiology
Scarborough, YO12 6QL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Specialty Doctor - Anaesthetics
Harrogate, HG2 7SX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
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Medical Research Doctor
Cambridge, CB24 3BA
- Salary :
- £45000.00 to £60000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Optimum Patient Care
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ST1 Paediatric Bank Doctor
Warrington, WA5 1QG
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHSFT
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Senior Locally Employed Doctor
Manchester, M8 5RB
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
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Specialty Doctor in Paediatrics
Warwick, CV34 5BW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Dermatology
Bristol, BS2 8HW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
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Trauma & Orthopaedic Specialty Doctor
York, YO31 8HE
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Emergency Medicine
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology
Huddersfield, HD3 3EA
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
-
Head & Neck - Specialty Doctor
Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST4 6QG
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor (Part-time)
Dundee, DD5 1PL
- Salary :
- £59500.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
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Bank On Call Doctor
North East, DL1 2LN
- Salary :
- £325.00 to £450.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
Specialty Doctor - Cavendish House
Hastings, TN343AD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Trust Doctor - Occupational Health
Exeter, EX2 5DW
- Salary :
- £44436.00 to £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
GP & Health Assessment Doctor
Riccarton, EH12 9GF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nuffield Health
-
Speciality Doctor in Dermatology
Colchester, CO4 5JL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialist Doctor in Dermatology
Truro, TR1 3LJ
- Salary :
- £96990.00 to £107155.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
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Specialty Doctor in Psychotherapy
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor Community Paediatrics
Litchfield, WS13 6EE
- Salary :
- £52530.00 to £82400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Dermatology
Northampton, NN1 5BD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northampton General Hospital
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Specialty Doctor in Anaesthetics
Barnsley, S75 2EP
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Emergency Medicine
Scarborough, YO12 6QL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Forensic Psychiatry
Gloucester, GL1 3WL
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
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Trust Doctor ST4+ in Neonatology
Brighton, BN2 5BE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
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Speciality Doctor in Rehabilitation Medicine
Burslem, ST6 7AG
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Bank - Speciality Doctor - AMU ED
Essex, SS0 0RY
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Oral Surgery
Crumpsall, M8 5RB
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
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Specialty Doctor in Forensic Psychiatry
Middlesbrough, TS4 3AF
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
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Trust Doctor ST3+ in Anaesthetics
Hull, HU3 2JZ
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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Specialty Doctor in Liaison Psychiatry
Harrogate, HG27SX
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Paediatrics- Developmental
BANGOR, LL57 2PW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
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Bank Doctor in Emergency Department
Victoria Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BL
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- East Cheshire NHS Trust
-
Trust Doctor in Anaesthetics (ST3)
Canterbury, CT1 3NG
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine
Bridgend, CF31 1RQ
- Salary :
- £62117.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Specialty Doctor Palliative Medicine - Sustantive
Birmingham, B24 0DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Hospice
-
Specialty Doctor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Ormskirk, L39 2AZ
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Sexual Offence Examiner (SOE) / Doctor
Bournemouth, BH1 1QQ
- Salary :
- £200.00 to £300.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Partnering Health Ltd
-
Specialty Doctor - Ophthalmology in Glaucoma
Birmingham, B18 7QH
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
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These organisations have further information about being a microbiology and virology doctor, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.
European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases