With the spread of a global pandemic, now more than ever, we should realize our need for Virologists - people who spend their lives researching how viruses behave and act. They are specialists who can help stop another pandemic before it starts. Continue Reading
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Explore Career With the spread of a global pandemic, now more than ever, we should realize our need for Virologists - people who spend their lives researching how viruses behave and act. They are specialists who can help stop another pandemic before it starts.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Virologist?
A Virologist would typically need to:
Virologists work in microbiology/virology laboratories or the field searching for new treatments or responding to viral outbreaks. Many work in hospitals or large medical clinics, in close collaboration with diverse medical staff. Virologists also work in higher secondary and postsecondary educational institutions.
The dress code will differ according to the specific work environment Virologists find themselves in. Working with hazardous chemicals in labs requires appropriate personal protective equipment in addition to closed-toe shoes, clothes that fully cover the legs and arms, and a lab coat.
As per patient preferences in medical facilities, you may need to wear a white coat over business casual clothes rather than scrubs or formals. Fieldwork may require a comfortable and practical dress code while educational institutions mandate formal wear.
Virologists usually work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, although you may stay on call if you work as a clinical scientist in the government health service. Larger employers may provide flexible working schemes. Part-time work is possible.
Virologists work in various fields, one of the largest being research and analysis. Virologists also teach students and trainees in higher secondary and postsecondary educational institutions.
Virologists are generally employed by:
Organizations such as the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers take pride in representing Virologists. In general, they can obtain useful resources, such as certification, continuing education, mentoring programs, and information on education and careers from relevant local, regional, national, or international organizations.
Veteran Virologists recommend that students pursue any available research opportunities, over and above the lab work they carry out during their bachelor’s program. Many schools have resources that match students with potential internships. If your degree does not include a year out in industry or research, consider engaging in a research project over summer.
Professional organizations provide a limited number of grants to students who want to get hands-on experience. You can also contact pharmaceutical companies and hospitals about voluntary work experience or work shadowing opportunities. Job boards and other online resources also list openings. It is also essential to form constructive relationships with your research mentors whose letters of recommendation may be essential for admission to master’s programs.
Virology is not typically offered as a bachelor’s degree major. Since a strong science background is essential, most aspiring Virologists opt for a bachelor’s degree in biology, applied biology, chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbial sciences, biomedical sciences, or microbiology with access to mathematics and physics. Courses such as biological sciences or applied biology provide a wide-ranging background before having to make choices about specialist areas.
The next steps would depend on whether the candidate wishes to undertake medical or doctoral training.
Medical schools require applicants to take the local standardized admission tests. The first two years of the medical program typically focus on coursework and lab work covering anatomy, pharmacology, and biochemistry. Clinical rotations through major medical departments such as pediatrics, surgery, and family medicine, characterize the last two years.
A three-year residency in pediatrics or internal medicine may be a mandatory next step, followed by a three- to five-year fellowship program. Fellows may attend research retreats, seminars, and symposiums, to learn additional research skills such as teaching and presentation.
Most virology PhD programs may require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). Experts recommend taking a GRE subject exam. Admission to master’s programs in virology may favor individuals who complete a relevant subject test in chemistry, biology, microbiology, or molecular biology.
In some locations, integrated postgraduate master’s qualifications such as the MBiol or MBiolSci may be particularly useful in gaining admission to a PhD program.
In general, PhD programs in virology, immunology, or a relevant field are highly research-oriented and take four to six years to complete. In addition to academic courses, you will pursue lab rotations, research, and writing the dissertation. Possible research areas include environmental virology, parasitology, pediatric viral infections, HIV vaccination development, and cancer suppression techniques.
After graduating from the PhD program, you will need to complete an additional three- to five-year research training through a fellowship program. Fellows typically need to share research findings in a journal club. They may also elect additional courses in virology or grant-writing. Future-oriented students may opt for a dual MD/PhD program that may interject PhD work in the middle of a typical medical course.
Virologists with MD degrees may need to be licensed to work as clinical Virologists. Individual government entities conduct licensing. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfillment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.
Voluntary certification from an objective, credible, and reputed organization can help you validate your knowledge and increase your confidence at work. Successful certification programs seek to serve and protect the public welfare and are responsible for investigating Virologists that practice outside of the program’s Code of Ethics. By protecting the public welfare, a profession earns trust and respect, which are the most important elements in securing a professional’s future.
Performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Virology, as a specialization in microbiology, has narrow paths for career diversification. Most Virologists publish their work to be better known as researchers who might eventually go into partially directive or managerial positions with more administrative responsibilities.
It is also possible to move from Practitioner to Specialist, to Team Manager, and then to a Consultant.
Education, experience, and expertise in statistical skills will ensure better job prospects. Governmental budgetary decisions and private capital availability will influence the job prospects of Virologists from one year to the next.
Virology is an ever-expanding field with new developments that can cause drastic changes. Therefore, it is essential to remain apprised of advances in research. Continuing professional development activities may include attending events and conferences, mentoring, teaching, and publishing papers.
Larger organizations, particularly those involved in research, may provide training and development opportunities such as a master’s degree or a PhD if you do not already have one. National organizations are a valuable resource for networking and provide learning opportunities through seminars and symposiums.
Training opportunities will depend on your specialist area and individual employers. In some jobs, salary increases may be available on completion of training. On-the-job training may be related to specific equipment or techniques within your specialist area. The manufacturers may deliver training on new equipment.
Clinical Virologists must pursue continuing education and professional development activities to ensure their license is renewed periodically.
The History of Virology
The closing years of the 19th century saw the emergence of the scientific study of viruses and their infections. Although Louis Pasteur and Edward Jenner developed the first vaccines to protect against viral infections, they did not know that viruses existed. The first evidence of the existence of viruses came from experiments with filters that had pores small enough to retain bacteria.
By the early 20th century many viruses had been discovered and were proven to be particles rather than a fluid. The invention of the electron microscope allowed their complex structures to be visualized. Research Virologists observe bacteria that have become host to a virus by applying different moisture, temperature, and air conditioning levels to see how they react. It helps them discern what contributes to the growth and spread of the virus in the bacteria and thereby better predict the evolution of the virus in populations.
Supervision
In universities or more extensive private labs, Virologists usually supervise a team of researchers, including biological technologists, technicians, and lab assistants. They spend more time planning, coordinating, and managing the research process than conducting it. Coaching and training the research team on equipment use and proper procedures is vital to research project success.
Presentation
On completion of research projects, Virologists must communicate results to their employers and other stakeholders. At the highest level, Virology contributes to plans developed by the centers for disease control in a country to control outbreaks of influenza and other viral infections.
Collaboration
Virologists who work in hospitals or large clinics collaborate with medical staff who deal with individual patient cases. Once medical doctors identify a patient’s viral condition, Virologists collect and analyze samples for study and then suggest treatment and controlling an outbreak. In extreme cases, Virologists may recommend quarantining patients to prevent contamination of the hospital, staff, other patients, and visitors.
Virologists play a significant role in identifying diseases, their origin and duration, their intensity and scope for mutation, and their potential treatment and prevention.
Always keep an open mind; keep scanning. I think that's how things work in nature. Many people are close-minded, rigid, and that's not my inclination.
The name virus was coined from the Latin word meaning slimy liquid or poison.
What do Virologists do?
A Virologist would typically need to:
Accredited
$54,180
