Microbiologists study microscopic organisms, often with a focus on those that cause disease. They may often specialize in different types of organisms, such as bacteria or viruses, and may also specialize further in different types of organisms, such as those that cause disease in humans, or those that are used for biotechnological applications.

In Bioinformatics, the Microbiologist works with a focus on the molecular level of the study of these organisms, often to study how they cause disease in humans. This may involve activities such as growing bacteria in a laboratory, then extracting protein molecules from the bacteria to study them more closely. They may use a variety of different biological and computational processes and tools in their work.

Bioinformatic Microbiologists should have excellent analytical and problem solving skills, be able to work to a high degree of accuracy, be able to work with Bioinformatics computer programs, and work well independently and in a team. Microbiologists should be able to focus on the details of a project without losing sight of the ‘big picture’ that directs their work.