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What Kind Of Jobs Use Microscopes?

Last Updated: 09.11.24

 

With so many field microscopes for sale, it is easy to imagine that there are plenty of people who use them in the real world and that their careers demand the use of such a tool. Feel free to check out this post and see for yourself that many jobs involve microscopes and their many purposes.

 

Biologists

The first career that comes to mind when you’re thinking of microscopes and the people who use them is that of a biologist, without a doubt. Examining small creatures, samples collected from various living things, and other tasks can only be carried on if a microscope is used.

Researchers need to see the bacteria that grow in their samples so that they can identify methods to stop their growth, or, in the case of good bacteria, which can stimulate their further development. Such creatures are impossible to see with the naked eye, and that is why microscopes are a biologist’s most reliable tool.

They also use microscopes to examine the behavior of microorganisms, and in research, these are indispensable devices.

Forensics

How many times have you watched a crime show on TV and seen the forensic team collecting samples only to examine them later at the lab? Forensics is a pretty fascinating discipline that would not be possible without the use of a microscope. The evidence collected from the scene of the crime can offer a breakthrough for a case, so it is not to be overlooked.

Forensic specialists need to be able to operate a microscope and also understand what they are looking at when they examine the evidence samples provided by law enforcement. Besides analyzing biological samples, forensic specialists can also examine fabrics and other materials that can offer them insight into what happened at a particular moment at a specific location.

 

Jewelers

Do you know the difference between a fake diamond and a real one? With the naked eye, if a stone were counterfeited very well and resembled the real thing down to a tee, it would be impossible to give an honest answer to this question. But do you know who would be able to tell, for sure, whether a particular gemstone is real or fake?

The answer is a jeweler or a gemologist. These specialists use microscopes that can offer them the information they seek when they are looking at various gemstones. Diamonds, sapphires, and other precious stones have very particular crystal formations that these specialists know. Without them, they are nothing but fake stones, but no one except these specialists can tell the real ones from the counterfeited pieces.

Pathologists

They are not the people of whose existence you are aware when you visit a hospital, but pathologists play a pretty important role. They are the ones in charge of examining various tissue samples that are sent to the lab to identify the presence of cancer or other anomalies in cell growth that could be the cause of disease for multiple patients.

Also, they are the same people who are in charge of identifying the cause of death for those who died under unclear circumstances. Like forensic specialists, they may be required to work with law enforcement when they discover something that might lead to the identification of suspicious deaths.

 

Lab technicians

These specialists can work in many different fields. Their work with the help of a microscope is significant. They are the ones who examine blood samples sent by hospitals and other biological material that can lead to understanding various conditions and diseases.

When you send a blood sample to a lab to be analyzed, it is the lab technician working there that will work on your sample and then deliver you the results of your tests.

 

Geologists

While they work in an entirely different field from the ones mentioned so far, geologists carry on a critical task. They examine rocks and other formations that can supply them with valuable information on how Earth formed. They can look at various samples through the lenses of a microscope and establish where they come from and how old they are.

Their work is vital not only for informing us on what our planet has been through but also for letting others know of what may happen in the future. To give an example, geologists can establish a pattern for volcano eruptions by looking at stones collected from nearby areas.

Microbiologists

Careers that deal with the examination of bacteria and fungi need microbiologists, and these specialists, need powerful microscopes so that they can determine how such tiny microorganisms behave. They are involved in the development of vaccines and other preventive health-related disciplines, and they are often found in the laboratories operated by pharmaceutical companies.

 

Endocrinologists

These specialists focus on the hormonal imbalances and irregularities that may occur in patients. The study of hormones is called endocrinology, hence the name of this career. What endocrinologists do is that they take blood and tissue samples from patients and examine them under a microscope to establish whether a hormonal issue is the root of their problems.

A lot of conditions and diseases are related to hormonal issues. For instance, people who have heart diseases might be affected by such illnesses due to hormonal imbalances. The same happens with diabetes and infertility. By identifying the cause, endocrinologists can also work with other health care specialists to establish adequate treatments.

 

Wildlife biologists

People who are involved in the study of animals, their behavior, their habitat, and so on are called wildlife biologists, or zoologists, and their usual tasks often require the use of a microscope. They can also establish whether specific wildlife populations are affected by unique conditions and diseases by analyzing samples of blood and tissues under a microscope.

 

Botanists

Just like wildlife biologists, botanists have microscopes as their most trusted tools. The main difference is that they don’t examine animal samples, but those they collect from plants. They can establish how to improve the development of certain plants, and how to stop the spread of those that affect, for instance, crops.

 

 

Ioana Moldovan

Ioana’s professional experience in the optics field has helped her understand the value of passing her knowledge forward. Her curious personality helps her gather useful information for her readers and her goal is to make technical information fun and accessible to everyone.

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