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Summary Job Description | Tasks | |||
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. | Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens. | |||
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Provide laboratory services for health departments, for community environmental health programs and for physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment. | ||||
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Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter. | ||||
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Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms. | ||||
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Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists. | ||||
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Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health. | ||||
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Prepare technical reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes. | ||||
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Study the structure and function of human, animal and plant tissues, cells, pathogens and toxins. | ||||
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Use a variety of specialized equipment such as electron microscopes, gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters and phosphoimagers. | ||||
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Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes. | ||||
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Research use of bacteria and microorganisms to develop vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids, grain alcohol, sugars, and polymers. | ||||
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Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition. | ||||
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Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection. | ||||
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Develop new products and procedures for sterilization, food and pharmaceutical supply preservation, or microbial contamination detection. | ||||
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CompGeo Salary Survey Benchmark Job Summary and Competencies
Microbiologists
The Benchmark Job Description below represents the specific Position Characteristics of the job used in the Salary Survey. Benchmark Job Descriptions should be inspected carefully to review the degree of matching between an organizations' Job and the Salary Survey Benchmark. Matching internal Jobs to Salary Survey Benchmark Jobs should not be done on Job Title alone. A thorough comparison of Salary Survey Benchmark to Internal Job Descriptions is recommended. A good overlap should exist on any comparisons used on critical Job Dimensions and Competencies.- Job Description
- Knowledges
- Skills
- Abilites
- Tools and Technology
- Education and Experience
- Alternate Job Titles
- Salaries
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Important Knowledge Competencies | Competency Description | |||
Biology | Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. | |||
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English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. | |||
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Chemistry | Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. | |||
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Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. | |||
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Medicine and Dentistry | Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. | |||
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Education and Training | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. | |||
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Administration and Management | Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. | |||
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Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. | |||
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Important Skill Competencies | Competency Description | |||
Science | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. | |||
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Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. | |||
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Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. | |||
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Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. | |||
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Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. | |||
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Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. | |||
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Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. | |||
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Learning Strategies | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. | |||
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Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. | |||
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Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. | |||
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Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. | |||
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Mathematics | Using mathematics to solve problems. | |||
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Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. | |||
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Instructing | Teaching others how to do something. | |||
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Systems Analysis | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. | |||
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Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. | |||
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Management of Personnel Resources | Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. | |||
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Systems Evaluation | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. | |||
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Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. | |||
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Operations Analysis | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. | |||
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Persuasion | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. | |||
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Service Orientation | Actively looking for ways to help people. | |||
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Operation Monitoring | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. | |||
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Quality Control Analysis | Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. | |||
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Important Ability Competencies | Competency Description | |||
Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |||
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Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |||
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Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |||
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Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). | |||
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Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. | |||
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Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |||
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Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. | |||
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Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |||
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Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |||
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Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. | |||
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Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |||
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Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). | |||
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Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. | |||
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Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |||
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Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. | |||
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Mathematical Reasoning | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. | |||
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Number Facility | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. | |||
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Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. | |||
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Finger Dexterity | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. | |||
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Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. | |||
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Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |||
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Visual Color Discrimination | The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. | |||
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Speed of Closure | The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns. | |||
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Arm-Hand Steadiness | The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. | |||
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Far Vision | The ability to see details at a distance. | |||
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Memorization | The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures. | |||
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Manual Dexterity | The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. | |||
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Control Precision | The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. | |||
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Tools/Technology Example | Product Category | |||
Assistant Software for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Interpretation ASASI | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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BD Biosciences CellQuest | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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BD Biosciences CloneCyt | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Bruker Optics OPUS | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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BtB Software Mycobacteriology Lab | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Codon Usage Database | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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ComBase | Information retrieval or search software | |||
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Computer Service & Support CLS-2000 Laboratory System | Medical software | |||
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Computing Solutions LabSoft LIMS Micro | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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DNA sequence analysis software | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Database management software | Data base user interface and query software | |||
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Email software | Electronic mail software | |||
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FindTarget | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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FramePlot | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Gene Finder | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Gene recognition software | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Genie Interactive | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Image capture and analysis software | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Laboratory information management system LIMS software | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | |||
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Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | |||
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Microsoft Word | Word processing software | |||
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NetLims AutoLims | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Orchard Software Orchard Harvest LIS | Medical software | |||
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PHYLIP | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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PIBWin | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Pathogen Modeling Program PMP | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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PredictProtein | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Proscan | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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ProtScale | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Protein Explorer | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Protein databases | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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STARLIMS | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Statistical software | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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TreeView | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Verity Software House ModFit LT | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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WHONET | Data base user interface and query software | |||
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Web browser software | Internet browser software | |||
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Word processing software | Word processing software | |||
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8-channel electronic pipettes | Electronic multichannel pipetters | |||
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Alcohol lamps | Spirit burners | |||
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Anaerobic growth chambers | Anaerobic chamber | |||
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Analytical balances | Analytical balances | |||
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Argon lasers | Lasers | |||
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Autoclaves | Steam autoclaves or sterilizers | |||
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Automated gram stainers | Microbiology slide stainers | |||
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Automated microbial identification systems | Microbiology analyzers | |||
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Automatic cell sorters | Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters | |||
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Automatic coverslipper | Automated cover slipping equipment | |||
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Automatic pipetters | Robotic or automated liquid handling systems | |||
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Bacteriological incubators | Forced air or mechanical convection general purpose incubators | |||
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Bacticinerators | Dry heat or hot air sterilizers | |||
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Bioaerosol impactors | Air samplers or collectors | |||
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Biological safety hoods | Safety hoods | |||
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Bioreactors | Microbiology fermentation equipment | |||
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Bright field light microscopes | Binocular light compound microscopes | |||
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Bubble counters | Counters | |||
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Charge coupled device CCD color digital cameras | Digital cameras | |||
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Chemical safety showers | Decontamination shower | |||
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Colony counters | Electronic counters | |||
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Compound binocular light microscopes | Binocular light compound microscopes | |||
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Conductivity meters | Conductivity meters | |||
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Coplin jars | Laboratory staining dishes or jars | |||
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Culture bottles | Tissue culture flasks | |||
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Culture tubes | Culture tubes | |||
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Darkroom developing tanks | Developing tanks | |||
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Deionized DI water systems | Ultra pure water systems | |||
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Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequencers | Deoxyribonucleic sequence analyzers | |||
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Desktop centrifuges | Benchtop centrifuges | |||
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Desktop computers | Desktop computers | |||
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Dichotomous particulate matter samplers | Air samplers or collectors | |||
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Direct heat dry wall carbon dioxide CO2 incubators | Dry wall single chamber carbon dioxide incubators | |||
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Dissecting microscopes | Stereo or dissecting light microscopes | |||
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Dissolved oxygen meters | Dissolved oxygen meters | |||
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Dropping pipettes | Dropping pipettes | |||
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Dry bath incubators | Dry baths or heating blocks | |||
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Drying ovens | Drying cabinets or ovens | |||
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Electronic sterilizers | Steam autoclaves or sterilizers | |||
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Electronic toploading balances | Electronic toploading balances | |||
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Electroporators | Electroporation cuvettes | |||
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Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA plate readers | Microplate readers | |||
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Erlenmeyer flask clamps | Laboratory adapters or connectors or fittings | |||
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Erlenmeyer flasks | Laboratory flasks | |||
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Eyewash fountains | Eyewashers or eye wash stations | |||
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Fecal coliform water baths | Circulating baths | |||
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Fire extinguishers | Fire extinguishers | |||
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Floor shakers | Rotating shakers | |||
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Flow cytometers | Microbiology analyzers | |||
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Fluorescence activated cell sorters | Microbiology analyzers | |||
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Fluorescent microscopes | Fluorescent microscopes | |||
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Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers | Infrared spectrometers | |||
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Freeze dryers | Freeze dryers or lyopholizers | |||
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French presses | French pressure cells | |||
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Gas chromatographs GC | Gas chromatographs | |||
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Gas-powered generators | Gas generators | |||
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Gel documentation systems | Gel documentation systems | |||
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Gel electrophoresis boxes | Gel boxes | |||
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Gel support frames | Gel boxes | |||
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Gel transfer apparatus | Blotting or transfer apparatus | |||
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Graduated glass laboratory cylinders | Laboratory graduated cylinders | |||
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HEPA filtered biosafety cabinets | HEPA filtered enclosures | |||
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Hardy Diagnostics HUGO | Electronic encyclopedias | |||
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Heat blocks | Dry baths or heating blocks | |||
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Heating stirplates | Laboratory hotplates | |||
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Helium-neon lasers | Lasers | |||
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High pressure liquid chromatographs HPLC | High pressure liquid chromatograph chromatography | |||
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High-speed centrifuges | Benchtop centrifuges | |||
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Hybridization ovens | Hybridization ovens or incubators | |||
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Impedance meters | Impedance meters | |||
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Infrared IR spectrometers | Infrared spectrometers | |||
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Infrared gas analyzers | Infra red or ultra violet absorption analyzers | |||
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Inoculating loops | Microbiology inoculation loops or needles | |||
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Inverted microscopes | Inverted microscopes | |||
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Laboratory beakers | Laboratory beakers | |||
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Laboratory funnels | Laboratory funnels | |||
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Laboratory gas burners | Gas burners | |||
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Laboratory glassware washers | Laboratory washing machines | |||
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Laboratory heat exchange condensing devices | Laboratory heat exchange condensers | |||
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Laboratory membrane filtering devices | Laboratory membrane filters | |||
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Laboratory refrigerators | General purpose refrigerators or refrigerator freezers | |||
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Laboratory test tubes | Multipurpose or general test tubes | |||
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Laboratory vacuum pumps | Laboratory vacuum pumps | |||
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Laminar flow cabinets | Laminar flow cabinets or stations | |||
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Laser printers | Laser printers | |||
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Liquid chromatograph devices | Liquid chromatographs | |||
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Liquid impingers | Air samplers or collectors | |||
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Liquid nitrogen storage equipment | Cryogenic or liquid nitrogen freezers | |||
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Magnetic laboratory stirrers | Magnetic stirrers | |||
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Mass spectrometers | Mass spectrometers | |||
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Membrane filtration systems | Laboratory membrane filters | |||
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Micro balances | Laboratory balances | |||
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Microcalorimeters | Calorimeters | |||
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Microcentrifuges | Microcentrifuges | |||
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Micromanipulators | Automated microscope stages | |||
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Micropipettes | Dropping pipettes | |||
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Microscope slides | Microscope slides | |||
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Mid-infrared spectrometers | Infrared spectrometers | |||
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Multiplate readers | Microplate readers | |||
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Multistage agar impactors | Air samplers or collectors | |||
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Multiwell trays | General purpose trays | |||
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Notebook computers | Notebook computers | |||
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Oil-immersion microscope lenses | Microscope objectives | |||
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Orbital shaking incubators | Shaking incubators | |||
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Orbital shaking water baths | Orbital shaking water baths | |||
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Osmometers | Osmometers | |||
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Peristaltic pumps | Peristaltic pumps | |||
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Personal computers | Personal computers | |||
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Petri dishes | Petri plates or dishes | |||
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Phase contrast microscopes | Darkfield microscopes | |||
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Photomicroscopes | Photo attachments for microscopes | |||
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Pipette pumps | Pipette pumps | |||
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Precision pan balances | Laboratory balances | |||
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Prepared agar plates | Specialty plates for bacteria | |||
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Protective gloves | Protective gloves | |||
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Protective laboratory coats | Protective coats | |||
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Raman spectrometers | Spectrometers | |||
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Rechargeable electronic pipette fillers | Pipetter inserts or accessories | |||
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Recording thermometers | Laboratory incubator thermometers | |||
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Refrigerated benchtop centrifuges | Refrigerated benchtop centrifuges | |||
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Refrigerated recirculating water baths | Refrigerated baths | |||
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Respirators | Respirators | |||
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Rotator mixers | Laboratory mixers | |||
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Safety glasses | Safety glasses | |||
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Safety shoes | Safety shoes | |||
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Scanning electron microscopes SEM | Scanning electron microscopes | |||
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Sectioned petri plates | Petri plates or dishes | |||
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Semidry blotting apparatus | Blotting or transfer apparatus | |||
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Serology rotators | Laboratory mixers | |||
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Shaking incubators | Shaking incubators | |||
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Sonicators | Ultrasonic disintegrators | |||
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Staining dishes | Laboratory staining dishes or jars | |||
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Steroclaves | Steam autoclaves or sterilizers | |||
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Test tube racks | Test tube racks | |||
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Thermocyclers | Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers | |||
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Tissue homogenizers | Homogenizers | |||
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Transilluminators | Transilluminators | |||
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Transmission electron microscopes TEM | Transmission electron microscopes | |||
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Ultra cold biological freezers | Ultra cold or ultralow upright cabinets or freezers | |||
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Ultracentrifuges | Ultracentrifuges | |||
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Ultraviolet UV lamps | Ultraviolet UV lamps | |||
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Visible spectrometers | Spectrometers | |||
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Visible/UV light scanning spectrophotometers | Spectrophotometers | |||
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Vortex mixers | Vortex mixers | |||
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Water purification systems | Ultra pure water systems | |||
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Water sample collection containers | Specimen collectors | |||
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X ray diffractometers | X ray diffraction equipment | |||
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pH meters | pH meters | |||
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Prerequisite Qualification Category | Education and Experience Level | |||
Required Level of Education | Bachelor's Degree | |||
Required Level of Education | Post-Doctoral Training | |||
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Alternate Job Title(s) | |||
Bacteriologist | |||
Chemist | |||
Clinical Laboratory Scientist | |||
Clinical Microbiologist | |||
Cytologist | |||
Electron Microscopist | |||
Medical Laboratory Technician | |||
Medical Microbiologist | |||
Medical Technologist | |||
Microbiological Analyst | |||
Microbiological Laboratory Technician | |||
Microbiologist | |||
Microbiology Analyst | |||
Microbiology Laboratory Director | |||
Microbiology Laboratory Manager | |||
Microscopist | |||
Mycobacteria and Brucella Laboratory Head | |||
Physical Scientist | |||
Professor of Microbiology | |||
Public Health Microbiologist | |||
Public Health Microbiology Laboratory Director | |||
Quality Control Microbiologist (QC Microbiologist) | |||
Study Director | |||
Virologist | |||
Virology Director | |||
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