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Microbiologists

SOC 19-1022.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers microbiologists working across clinical diagnostic laboratories, public health and environmental monitoring programs, academic research institutions, and regulated industrial or pharmaceutical settings, from entry-level bench work through organizational scientific leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Bacterial and fungal cultures — isolate and maintain in prescribed laboratory media under direct supervision, controlling basic parameters such as temperature and moisture.
  2. Microscopy techniques — apply standard protocols to examine and identify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens with guidance from a senior scientist.
  3. Laboratory equipment — operate basic instruments including light microscopes and pipetting devices following established safety and handling procedures in a regulated lab setting.
  4. Water and food samples — assist in collecting and processing environmental specimens for microbial testing according to written standard operating procedures.
  5. Scientific literature — read and summarize peer-reviewed articles relevant to assigned microbiology projects under the direction of a supervising researcher.
  6. Laboratory data — record observations and raw test results accurately in laboratory notebooks or electronic databases using provided templates.
  7. Biological safety protocols — follow prescribed biosafety level guidelines and personal protective equipment requirements in a clinical or research laboratory environment.
  8. Basic culture media — prepare nutrient and selective media formulations according to standardized recipes in support of ongoing microbiological experiments.
  9. Specimen logs and chain-of-custody documents — complete and maintain accurately for samples received from health departments or community environmental programs.
  10. Entry-level analytical software — enter and retrieve experimental data using laboratory information management systems under supervision in a research or public health lab.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Microbial cultures — isolate, transfer, and maintain bacteria and other microorganisms in both prescribed and self-selected media, independently adjusting aeration, nutrition, and temperature to sustain viable specimens.
  2. Physiological and morphological characteristics — examine and classify microorganisms using light and fluorescence microscopy with routine proficiency, applying established taxonomic keys in a clinical diagnostic or environmental lab.
  3. Environmental and food safety testing — independently conduct standard monitoring assays on water, food, and environmental samples, interpreting results against regulatory benchmarks.
  4. Specialized laboratory equipment — operate thermocyclers, electrophoresis units, and high-pressure liquid chromatographs routinely, troubleshooting common instrument malfunctions without supervision.
  5. Organism–disease relationships — apply foundational epidemiological and microbiological principles to investigate sources of contamination or infection in community health or industrial quality-control settings.
  6. Technical reports — draft clear written summaries of experimental findings and preliminary recommendations for review by senior scientists in research or public health organizations.
  7. Antibiotic susceptibility testing — perform standardized minimum inhibitory concentration assays and interpret results in support of clinical or pharmaceutical laboratory workflows.
  8. Biological technician coordination — guide and review the daily bench work of one or two laboratory technicians, ensuring adherence to protocols in a departmental lab setting.
  9. Scientific databases and retrieval software — conduct systematic literature searches to inform experimental design and adapt methods to emerging findings in microbiology.
  10. Laboratory quality assurance — apply internal quality-control checks to routine assays, identifying out-of-specification results and escalating anomalies through appropriate channels.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex culture systems — design and optimize growth media and environmental conditions for fastidious or novel microorganisms across the full experimental lifecycle in a research or bioprocessing environment.
  2. Advanced instrumentation — independently operate and interpret data from electron microscopes, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, gas chromatographs, and phosphorimagers to characterize microbial populations and metabolites.
  3. Diagnostic laboratory services — provide authoritative microbiological information to physicians, public health officers, and environmental agencies, translating complex findings into actionable clinical or regulatory guidance.
  4. Epidemiological investigation — lead field and laboratory inquiries into outbreak sources, antibiotic resistance patterns, and environmental contamination, integrating multidisciplinary data to determine causative agents.
  5. Microorganism classification — apply polyphasic taxonomic approaches, including molecular and phenotypic methods, to identify and formally classify previously uncharacterized organisms in public health or academic settings.
  6. Research study design — independently formulate hypotheses, select appropriate controls, and design statistically rigorous experiments investigating organism–disease relationships in peer-reviewed research programs.
  7. Technical reporting and publications — author comprehensive technical reports, regulatory submissions, and peer-reviewed manuscripts that synthesize research outcomes and formulate evidence-based recommendations.
  8. Biological technologist supervision — independently oversee and evaluate the performance of biological technologists, technicians, and junior scientists, assigning tasks and ensuring data integrity across laboratory operations.
  9. Regulatory and compliance standards — interpret and apply federal, state, and international microbiology standards (e.g., FDA, EPA, CDC) to laboratory practices, ensuring full compliance in clinical or environmental settings.
  10. Multivariable data analysis — apply mathematical modeling and statistical software to analyze large microbial datasets, drawing defensible conclusions about population dynamics and environmental risk in complex real-world scenarios.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational research strategy — define and champion the long-range scientific vision for a microbiology department or research division, aligning laboratory capabilities with institutional, funding, and public health priorities.
  2. Cross-sector laboratory networks — establish collaborative frameworks among health departments, academic institutions, and government agencies to coordinate environmental monitoring and infectious disease surveillance at regional or national scale.
  3. Workforce development — design and implement mentoring, training, and career-development programs for scientists, technologists, and graduate trainees, elevating overall departmental scientific competency.
  4. High-impact technical guidance — serve as the principal expert authority on microbiology methods and findings, delivering authoritative recommendations to executive leadership, regulatory bodies, and public health policy makers.
  5. Emerging pathogen response — lead institutional or multi-agency responses to novel infectious disease threats, directing resource allocation, laboratory surge capacity, and communication strategies during epidemics or public health emergencies.
  6. Innovation and technology adoption — evaluate, champion, and integrate next-generation technologies such as metagenomics platforms, advanced cell-sorting systems, and AI-driven diagnostic tools into organizational workflows.
  7. Grant and funding stewardship — secure and manage major extramural research funding, shaping scientific priorities, overseeing budget allocation, and ensuring deliverables across multi-year microbiological research programs.
  8. Scientific publication leadership — lead the preparation and strategic dissemination of landmark research findings through high-impact journals, conference keynotes, and policy briefs that shape the field of microbiology.
  9. Ethical and biosafety governance — chair institutional biosafety committees and ethics review boards, setting and enforcing standards for responsible research conduct and select-agent compliance across the organization.
  10. Interdisciplinary collaboration leadership — orchestrate partnerships with engineers, clinicians, data scientists, and regulatory specialists to translate fundamental microbiological discoveries into applied public health interventions or commercial products.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. Literature-assisted protocol review — queries an AI assistant to summarize recent peer-reviewed methods for culturing fastidious microorganisms, then cross-checks the output against primary sources before applying changes to bench protocols Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Terminology lookup delegation — hands off unfamiliar taxonomic or biochemical terms to an AI chat tool to generate plain-language definitions, freeing cognitive load for specimen observation tasks.
Developing
  1. Experimental-data organization — directs an AI tool to structure raw colony count tables and environmental monitoring logs into analysis-ready formats, then applies domain judgment to verify data integrity before downstream statistical work Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Draft report generation — prompts an AI assistant to produce initial drafts of diagnostic or environmental-monitoring reports from structured notes, then edits for clinical accuracy and regulatory compliance Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Literature synthesis for contamination investigations — instructs an AI tool to aggregate and summarize published outbreak data relevant to a specific pathogen or environmental source, using the output as a starting point for hypothesis formation Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Microbial identification workflow augmentation — integrates AI-assisted pattern recognition outputs with microscopic morphology and cultural characteristics observed at the bench, maintaining final classification authority over ambiguous specimens Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Genomic and sequence data interpretation — feeds raw sequencing outputs into AI-powered bioinformatics pipelines, evaluates alignment quality and taxonomic assignments, and flags anomalies requiring expert re-analysis WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Supervision of AI-assisted technician work — reviews AI-generated culture monitoring logs and quality-control summaries produced by biological technicians, applying microbiological expertise to detect errors the model could not catch Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  4. Multi-source contamination root-cause analysis — orchestrates an AI assistant through stepwise correlation of water, food, and environmental test datasets to surface candidate contamination pathways, then applies epidemiological reasoning to confirm or reject hypotheses Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Autonomous task boundary setting — evaluates which microbiological laboratory tasks fall within the 35.9% collaborative AI usage pattern and which require unassisted expert judgment, then codifies those boundaries into team-wide standard operating procedures for responsible AI use Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. High-leverage time reallocation — redirects the substantial time savings observed with AI-assisted data analysis toward novel experimental design and mechanistic hypothesis testing, converting efficiency gains into scientific output Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Feasibility governance for AI tools — applies knowledge of the intermediate automation feasibility of microbiology science skills (SAFI 53.1) to critically assess vendor claims for AI diagnostic platforms, advising institutional leadership on where AI adds reliable value versus where human expertise remains essential Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 359
Augment share: 35.9%
Time saved: 82.6%
AI autonomy: 3.03
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Science
Score: 53.1 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Data Science and Analysis
data_science_and_analysis
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication10 statements
Emerging
  1. Laboratory findings summary — documents basic microbiological observations using standard scientific terminology in written lab reports Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Specimen result communication — conveys preliminary culture or test results to supervising scientists using established reporting templates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Technical report drafting — compiles findings from water, food, or environmental monitoring tests into structured reports with methods, results, and basic interpretations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary communication — relays microbiological diagnostic information to physicians or public health staff using accessible, non-technical language appropriate to the audience Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Protocol explanation — articulates procedural steps for culture maintenance, specimen handling, or equipment use to technicians during routine lab operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research manuscript preparation — authors peer-reviewed technical reports and recommendations based on experimental outcomes, integrating data, literature, and conclusions with precision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Public health briefing — presents findings from environmental contamination or infection source investigations to health department stakeholders with clarity and scientific rigor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Active listening in scientific discourse — integrates feedback from colleagues and clinicians during case consultations to refine diagnostic interpretations and laboratory approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Scientific communication leadership — leads cross-institutional communication efforts during epidemic investigations, translating complex microbiological data into actionable guidance for diverse stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored publication development — coaches junior microbiologists and technicians through the full cycle of scientific writing, from data interpretation to peer-reviewed manuscript submission Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership9 statements
Emerging
  1. Task ownership in lab setting — takes initiative to complete assigned culture isolation or specimen examination tasks without prompting, demonstrating responsibility for data accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer support — assists biological technicians with instrument setup or procedural questions under supervision of senior microbiologists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Technician guidance — provides day-to-day direction to biological technologists on culture protocols, microscopy procedures, and equipment calibration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Project coordination — manages personal workload across concurrent microbiological experiments, prioritizing tasks based on diagnostic urgency or research timelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Laboratory team supervision — oversees biological technologists and technicians, assigns responsibilities, monitors quality of microbial identification and classification work, and provides corrective feedback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Infection control leadership — leads laboratory response to detection of harmful microorganisms in environmental or clinical specimens, directing containment and notification procedures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Research direction — defines experimental objectives, delegates tasks across lab personnel, and ensures adherence to protocols during multi-phase microbiological investigations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Scientific program leadership — designs and oversees long-term research programs on organism-disease relationships or antibiotic resistance, aligning team efforts with institutional and public health priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Succession development — identifies and systematically develops emerging talent within the microbiology team, building organizational capacity for complex diagnostic and research functions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Procedural self-monitoring — recognizes when culture conditions such as temperature, moisture, or nutrition deviate from protocol and seeks supervisor input before proceeding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning gap identification — identifies personal knowledge deficiencies in microbial taxonomy or instrumentation and selects targeted resources to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Experimental reflection — evaluates the success of chosen isolation or identification methods after each experiment cycle and adjusts approach for subsequent trials Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill inventory — maintains an accurate self-assessment of proficiency across specialized equipment including electron microscopes, thermocyclers, and chromatographs to guide continuing education choices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research strategy evaluation — monitors progress of multi-stage microbiological investigations against hypotheses, adjusting methodological approaches when results diverge from expected outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cognitive load management — structures complex diagnostic workflows across multiple specimen types to maintain analytical accuracy under high-throughput laboratory conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Disciplinary self-renewal — systematically evaluates own theoretical frameworks in microbiology against emerging scientific literature and integrates new paradigms into research and diagnostic practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Metacognitive modeling — explicitly demonstrates reflective scientific thinking to junior researchers, teaching them to plan, monitor, and evaluate their own experimental reasoning processes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Observational analysis — examines physiological and morphological characteristics of microorganisms under microscope and distinguishes features relevant to preliminary classification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Protocol evaluation — compares prescribed growth media conditions against actual culture results to identify basic discrepancies requiring investigation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Contamination source reasoning — analyzes patterns in water, food, or environmental monitoring data to form hypotheses about origins of microbial contamination or infection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence-based identification — weighs morphological, cultural, and biochemical evidence collectively to classify microorganisms in human, water, or food specimens rather than relying on single indicators Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Assumption testing — interrogates underlying assumptions in experimental design before initiating studies on antibiotic effects or organism-disease relationships Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Diagnostic judgment — synthesizes laboratory findings across multiple assay types to deliver authoritative microbiological diagnoses that inform physician treatment decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Epidemiological inference — investigates relationships between microbial isolates and disease outbreaks, evaluating competing explanations for transmission routes and infection sources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Research paradigm critique — evaluates assumptions and methodological limitations in published microbiological literature and designs studies that address identified gaps or contradictions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systems-level risk assessment — applies multi-factor critical analysis to evaluate microbiological threats across ecological, clinical, and public health dimensions simultaneously, informing policy recommendations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Cross-role coordination — works cooperatively with laboratory technicians during specimen processing, fulfilling assigned roles within defined team workflows Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Information sharing — shares preliminary culture results and observations with peers to support collective progress on shared diagnostic or research goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interdisciplinary lab teamwork — collaborates with chemists, clinicians, and environmental scientists on joint monitoring or investigation projects, integrating microbiological expertise into multidisciplinary workflows Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conflict navigation — resolves disagreements over experimental interpretations or procedural approaches through evidence-based discussion with colleagues Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Public health partnership — partners with community environmental health programs and health departments to design and execute microbiological monitoring programs aligned with shared public safety objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research collaboration — contributes specialized microbiological knowledge to multi-investigator studies, coordinating data collection timelines and methodology with collaborating scientists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Team diagnostic review — leads collaborative case review sessions where microbiological findings are integrated with clinical and epidemiological data from other specialists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional collaboration architecture — establishes and sustains formal collaborative frameworks between microbiology laboratories, academic institutions, and public health agencies for coordinated outbreak response and research Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Inclusive team culture — actively builds laboratory team norms that value diverse scientific perspectives and equitable contribution across experience levels during complex investigations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Data integrity — records raw microbiological observations and culture measurements accurately without alteration, even when results are inconclusive or unexpected Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Biosafety compliance — adheres consistently to safety protocols when handling potentially pathogenic microorganisms, demonstrating personal accountability for laboratory safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical specimen handling — maintains strict chain-of-custody and confidentiality standards when processing clinical specimens submitted for diagnostic microbiological analysis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability in error — reports procedural mistakes or contamination events promptly to supervisors and documents corrective actions transparently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Professional integrity in reporting — prepares and submits technical reports and public health recommendations that accurately represent findings without overstating certainty or suppressing inconvenient data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research ethics adherence — designs and conducts microbiological investigations in full compliance with institutional review, biosafety regulations, and scientific integrity standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Equitable service delivery — provides laboratory diagnostic services to all requesting health departments and community programs with consistent professional standards regardless of resource or institutional prestige Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics leadership — establishes laboratory culture norms that institutionalize scientific integrity, including transparent reporting of negative results and rigorous peer accountability in data management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Public trust stewardship — represents the microbiological profession in public or policy forums with honesty and humility, maintaining public confidence in scientific institutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Procedural adaptation — proposes minor modifications to standard culture media formulations when prescribed conditions produce inconsistent microbial growth results Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Novel observation — identifies unusual morphological or behavioral characteristics in examined microorganisms and raises them as potentially significant research questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Experimental design variation — develops alternative methodological approaches when standard identification techniques fail to classify ambiguous microbial specimens Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Instrumentation innovation — applies unconventional combinations of available specialized equipment such as fluorescence-activated cell sorters and phosphorimagers to generate novel analytical data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research question generation — formulates original hypotheses about organism-disease relationships or antibiotic resistance mechanisms that extend beyond current disciplinary consensus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Diagnostic protocol development — designs new laboratory procedures for detecting emerging or rare microorganisms in environmental or clinical specimens, filling gaps in existing methodological repertoire Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-advancing innovation — develops novel microbiological methods, media formulations, or analytical frameworks that are adopted by the broader scientific community or incorporated into public health guidelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative research program design — constructs interdisciplinary research programs that synthesize microbiological, chemical, and computational approaches to address previously intractable questions about pathogen ecology or treatment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Learning from failed cultures — treats contaminated or failed cultures as diagnostic information rather than setbacks, analyzing conditions that led to the failure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — incorporates supervisor critique of microscopy technique or data interpretation into immediate practice adjustments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Instrumentation mastery pursuit — voluntarily pursues proficiency on unfamiliar specialized equipment such as gas chromatographs or electrophoresis units beyond minimum job requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Literature engagement — regularly reads current microbiological research to update scientific knowledge base and incorporate emerging methods into laboratory practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Persistent investigation — sustains rigorous inquiry through extended periods of ambiguous or negative experimental results when investigating complex organism-disease relationships Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Methodological stretch — accepts assignments involving novel microbiological techniques or unfamiliar specimen types as development opportunities rather than risk exposures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Peer feedback integration — actively solicits and systematically incorporates critique from collaborating scientists and clinicians to refine diagnostic accuracy and research methodology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Culture of growth modeling — fosters a laboratory environment where failure is treated as learning data, normalizing intellectual risk-taking and iterative experimentation among all team members Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuous scientific renewal — restructures personal and team research approaches in response to paradigm-shifting discoveries in microbiology, leading adaptation rather than resisting change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Focused specimen examination — maintains sustained attention during extended microscopy sessions to ensure accurate observation of physiological and morphological microbial characteristics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Procedural presence — executes each step of culture isolation and maintenance protocols deliberately, avoiding errors caused by divided attention in a multi-task laboratory environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Emotional regulation under pressure — maintains composure and analytical precision when laboratory results indicate potential public health emergencies such as pathogen detection in community water supplies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Attentional recovery — recognizes cognitive fatigue during high-throughput specimen processing and applies structured breaks to restore accuracy before continuing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional diagnostic judgment — pauses before finalizing microbiological identifications on ambiguous specimens to review all available evidence systematically rather than defaulting to heuristic shortcuts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress-aware team management — monitors own stress responses when supervising laboratory personnel under deadline or outbreak conditions, maintaining measured and constructive leadership behavior Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Environmental awareness — sustains vigilant attention to biosafety conditions and equipment performance signals throughout the workday, catching hazards before they escalate Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindful leadership practice — models deliberate, non-reactive decision-making during high-stakes epidemiological investigations, creating psychological safety for team members to raise concerns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational mindfulness cultivation — introduces structured attention practices into laboratory workflows that reduce diagnostic error rates and improve team well-being in high-pressure research environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Persistence through ambiguity — continues systematic specimen examination when initial identification attempts are inconclusive, tolerating uncertainty without prematurely closing on a classification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory resilience — adapts laboratory practice without discouragement when biosafety audits or quality reviews require significant procedural changes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Extended investigation stamina — sustains rigorous experimental effort across multi-week studies on antibiotic effects or contamination sources despite slow or inconsistent result emergence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback recovery — resumes productive research activity after major experimental failures such as culture contamination events or equipment malfunction that invalidate weeks of data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Epidemic response endurance — maintains scientific precision and professional composure through sustained high-demand periods during active infectious disease outbreak investigations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Unpopular finding courage — reports and defends microbiological findings that contradict stakeholder expectations or carry significant public health or regulatory implications without softening conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Chronic uncertainty tolerance — sustains productive research engagement in long-duration studies where organism-disease relationships remain unclear across months or years of investigation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional resilience leadership — guides laboratory teams through organizational disruptions, funding cuts, or public health crises while maintaining scientific rigor and team cohesion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous scientific advocacy — publicly challenges flawed methodologies or premature conclusions in the microbiological field when evidence warrants, accepting professional risk in service of scientific integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Bacteriologist · Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist) · Clinical Microbiologist · Cytologist · Electron Microscopist · Medical Lab Scientist (Medical Laboratory Scientist) · Medical Microbiologist · Medical Technologist · Microbiological Analyst · Microbiologist · Microbiology Analyst · Microbiology Scientist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
ScienceReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingActive LearningActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingLearning StrategiesMathematicsSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationInstructingService OrientationSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Personnel Resources
Knowledge domains
BiologyChemistryEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingMathematicsEngineering and Technology
Abilities
Written ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningCategory FlexibilityDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionInformation OrderingNear Vision
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityAttention to DetailDependabilityCautiousnessInnovationAchievement Orientation
Technology
Analytical or scientific softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareMedical softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareOperating system softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
  2. Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
  3. 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.
  4. Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
  5. Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
  6. Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
  7. Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
  8. Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
CIP education codes
01.120326.020726.049926.050226.050426.050526.050726.050826.0599

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.