Microbiologist

As a Navy Microbiologist, your primary focus will be to prevent, detect and respond to infectious diseases. You may also be called upon to:

• Consult and conduct infectious disease research and surveillance
• 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

Navy Microbiologists may serve in any of 20 global locations, performing a wide range of duties across multiple fields. You’ll work everywhere from world-renowned research laboratories and clinical settings to in the field with Sailors and Marines.

• Research and development centers (both medical and nonmedical) overseas in Lima, Peru; Singapore; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Hanoi, Vietnam; Sigonella, Italy; Cairo, Egypt; Accra, Ghana, and within the continental U.S. (Washington, D.C., metro area and San Diego, CA)
• Environmental preventive medicine in Hawaii, Virginia or California
• Clinical microbiology at any of two large teaching medical centers in Bethesda, MD or San Diego, CA

Those pursuing a Microbiologist position are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here they learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.

Once that training is complete, you will learn the ins and outs of life as a Microbiologist at your first assignment.

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.

Post-Service Opportunities

It’s also important to note that specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields.

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. Opportunities for further education within this platform include:

• Navy College Program
• VOLED Assistance Center
• VOLED Region Advisors
• The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
• Navy War College (NWC)
• USAF Air University Air Command and Staff College

Available offers could consist of anything from scholarships to sign-on bonuses to loan repayment assistance. And help could potentially be available whether you’re in graduate school or already in practice. Note that since available offers vary by specialty and by year, a Medical Officer Recruiter is your best resource for up-to-date and complete details.

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’re currently serving, whether you've served before or whether you've never served before.

Serving part-time as a Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Microbiologists in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your medical experience in the Navy without compromising your civilian practice at home.

For annual training, Microbiologists may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in hospitals stateside, or in bases and camps in countries around the world.

Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.

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: Officer candidates are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Officers who previously held a commission in another United States Military Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Health Service, or United States Coast Guard are exempt from attending ODS or LDO/CWO Academy.

With flexible training options, Medical Officers in the Navy Reserve can comfortably balance civilian and military schedules. You can maintain your own life and your own practice – enriching both with the rewarding work you do for others.

The Navy Medical Corps offers you a truly diverse variety of academic, clinical and operational settings in which to practice. In some cases, you can even work in the same civilian hospital or setting you work in now. What’s more, you will enjoy an unrivaled sense of pride and fulfillment known only to those who serve.

As a Microbiologist in the Navy Medical Corps Reserve, you’ll receive a first-rate benefits package – including your choice of any one of these three generous financial offers:

• Up to $50,000 per year in specialty pay
• Up to $250,000 in medical school loan repayment assistance
• An immediate one-time sign-on bonus of up to $10,000

Navy Reserve Sailors joining the Medical Corps as residents can get monthly stipend in excess of $2,200 while completing your residency. Offers based on service commitment. Contact a Navy Reserve Medical Officer Recruiter for complete offer details.