Profession immunologist

Immunologists research the immune system of living organisms (e.g. human body) and the way it reacts to external infections or invasive harmful agents (e.g. virus, bacteria, parasites). They focus their study on those diseases that affect the immunology of living organisms in order to classify them for treatment.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Social

Knowledge

• Molecular and cellular immunology

  The interactions at molecular level that trigger a response from the immune system.

• Diagnostic immunology techniques

  The techniques used in diagnosing immunology diseases such as immunofluorescence, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA) and analysis of plasma proteins.

• Laboratory techniques

  Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

• Biology

  Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

• Immunology

  Immunology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Scientific research methodology

  The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

• Clinical immunology

  The pathology of a disease in relation to its immune response and immune system.

Skills

• Apply scientific methods

  Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

• Maintain laboratory equipment

  Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.

• Research immune system malfunctions

  Examine why the immune system fails and what causes disease.

• Apply safety procedures in laboratory

  Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

• Perform laboratory tests

  Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.

• Calibrate laboratory equipment

  Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.

• Perform scientific research

  Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB