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Infectious Disease Scientist

Quick Facts

Median Salary$101,258
Most Common EducationPh.D. or professional degree
Projected 10-Year Growth+17.64%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment

What They Do

An Infectious Disease Scientist performs scientific research with the aim of discovering new solutions or improving existing ones within the fields of infection sciences such as clinical microbiology, immunology, parasitology, and virology. Plans and conducts laboratory experiments, evaluates the results, develops new experiments, performs routine testing procedures, and summarizes findings in reports.


Core Tasks:

  • Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
  • Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
  • Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
  • Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
  • Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
  • Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
  • Write applications for research grants.
  • Write and publish articles in scientific journals.

What to expect as an Infectious Disease Scientist

1Earn a Ph.D. or professional degree

61% of people achieve this level of education.

2Gain skills and experience

See Infectious Disease Scientist related courses on Tallo

3Land a job

311 openings for Infectious Disease Scientists

Career Progression

in United States (Nation)

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