Please check that your current browser is up-to-date.
Thank you for visiting navy.com – the official recruitment site of America's Navy. We have recently made technological updates to our site in an effort to provide a better interactive experience. To enjoy the best possible experience, we recommend that you consider upgrading to one of the following versions (or higher) of any of these popular browsers:
- Internet Explorer 10.0+
- Safari 6.1+
- Firefox 26
- Chrome 32
- Home
- About the Navy
- Joining the Navy
- Navy Life
-
Careers & Jobs
- Arts & Media
- Aviation
- Business & Legal
- Chaplain & Support
- Engineering & Applied Science
- Healthcare
- Information & Technology
- Nuclear Power
- First Responders
- Special Warfare/Special Operations
- Recruiter
- Merchant Marine
- Families & Advisors
Microbiology
Navy Microbiologists pioneer progress in the field of microbiology each day as they conduct surveillance of organisms, trace the most elemental sources of infectious disease, and remain at the forefront of pivotal research. All with the benefit of unrivaled, hands-on training, educational opportunities and some of the most advanced technology in the world.
About This Job
Navy Microbiologists combat unique and exotic microorganisms that are found wherever Navy personnel are called to serve. Conducting medical research and development. Creating a culture of innovation and sustainability on the clinical level at Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC). Or examining wound cultures aboard the USNS Comfort during a humanitarian mission, providing medical care to patients in a dozen countries.
Wherever their duties take them, it’s the Navy Microbiologist’s responsibility to employ cutting-edge technologies to alleviate real-world biological threats.
As a Navy Microbiologist, your primary focus will be to prevent, diagnose and/or treat infectious diseases. You may also be called upon to:
- Consult and conduct infectious disease research
- Participate in operational deployments
- Conduct defensive research, including vaccine development
- Supervise clinical/public health microbiology laboratories, with the opportunity to serve as department head, program manager or research director
- Senior members may even serve as senior scientists or in Navy Executive Medicine as liaisons, Officers in Charge, Executive Officers or Commanding Officers
Serving part-time as a Reservist, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Officers in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your profession in the Navy without compromising your civilian practice at home.
For annual training, Reservists may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in facilities stateside, or on bases in countries around the world.
Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Reservists.
Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent.
Microbiologists in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.
For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET): Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement – so you will not need to go through Officer Training again.
For current or former Officers of military branches other than the Navy (OSVET), as well as for Officer candidates without prior military experience: You will need to meet the initial leadership training requirement by attending the 12-day Direct Commission Officer (DCO) School in Newport, R.I. This will count as your first Annual Training.
With flexible training options, Medical Service Corps Officers in the Navy Reserve can comfortably balance civilian and military schedules. You can maintain your own life and your own career – enriching both with the rewarding work you do for others.
The Medical Service Corps in the Navy Reserve offers a truly diverse variety of operational venues. In some cases, you can even work in the same civilian location you work in now. What’s more, you will enjoy an unrivaled sense of pride and fulfillment known only to those who serve.
Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs.
Practicing Professionals
Through the Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to pay down the cost of your graduate education.
Practicing Health Professionals
As a Reservist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you’ll receive your choice of any one of these three generous financial offers:*
- Up to $50,000 in graduate school loan repayment assistance
- Up to $30,000 in specialty pay
- An immediate one-time sign-on bonus of up to $10,000
*Offers cannot be combined and depend on specialty. Sign-on bonus offer option available only to those with prior Navy experience (NAVET).
To qualify for employment consideration as a Microbiologist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
- Master's degree (M.S./M.A./M.P.H.) or doctoral degree (Ph.D., DrPH, D.Sc.) in microbiology or a closely related field (e.g., bacteriology, biology, botany, epidemiology, immunology, molecular biology, mycology, parasitology, public health or virology)
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate studies
- For biology/botany/epidemiology/public health majors, several upper-level (300-plus) microbiology courses (eight hours or more), including laboratory, must be part of the candidate's curriculum
- Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
- Be between the ages of 18 and 41
- Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination
You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:
- Author or coauthor of peer-reviewed research in scientific journals
- Clinical microbiology, infectious disease surveillance or biowarfare defense experience
Candidates with a doctoral degree have an advantage over M.S./M.A. candidates, since many research job openings require doctorate-level training.
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you intend to serve Active Duty or Reserve Duty, and whether you are currently serving, have served before or have never served before.
Paid training. Competitive salary. Comprehensive health coverage. Generous vacation. World travel. The list goes on.
LEARN ALL ABOUT NAVY BENEFITS
