Under the Microscope Careers arising from a degree in Microbiology Jan Tennent – August 2006

Microbiology The science of studying micro-organisms BacteriaViruses BacteriaViruses YeastsFungi YeastsFungi Algae Parasites Algae Parasites Environmental / Commensals / Pathogens Multidisciplinary Biology Biochemistry Chemistry Biology Biochemistry Chemistry PhysiologyMolecular Biology Genetics PhysiologyMolecular Biology Genetics Immunology Immunology Medical / Veterinary / Industrial

Career Options Biosafety Clinical Microbiology Bacteriology.Virology.Mycology.Ocular.ParasitologyDiagnosticsAntimicrobialsEpidemiology Vaccine Technology Food – cheese, bread, beer Probiotics Wine making

Career Options Cosmetics, Vaccines & Pharmaceuticals Quality Control & Laboratory Management Water Quality / Waste water treatment BioremediationEducationResearchForensics Science Communication Science Ethics

Qualifications Bachelors degree HonoursMastersPhD Specialised post-graduate

My Career Path Undergraduate - too long ago ! 2 nd & 3 rd year Microbiology Honours (Microbiology) PhD Research – first jobs Post-doctoral training – 3 years overseas Post-doctoral training – 3 years overseas Research Scientist back at Monash Research Scientist back at Monash

My Career Path First ‘real’ job – CSIRO – industrial research On the job training – research management Own research work – vaccines for livestock Own research work – vaccines for livestock Project team – team leader Project team – team leader Program – research management Program – research management Director of the CRC for Vaccine Technology Director of the CRC for Vaccine Technology Honorary Assoc. Prof. appointment at Uni Melb

My Career Path Now work for Pfizer, the world’s largest Animal Health company AH licensing & bus dev in Aus, NZ & Asia AH licensing & bus dev in Aus, NZ & Asia discovery & evaluation, negotiation of commercial terms, contracts & agreements discovery & evaluation, negotiation of commercial terms, contracts & agreements Career goal – a role with global responsibility

Timeline Years

Advice I would have liked to have known as an undergraduate. Join a relevant professional association Seek out sabbaticals / work experience in your chosen field There are no grades in PhDs Publish as much as possible Volunteer to present you work Don’t underestimate the value of a logical, scientific mind – it can be applied to all sorts of pursuits!