Do you want to become a Immunologist? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
Job Description - 
Print Page
Immunologists study the way the human body defends itself against infection. This helps us to understand more about the prevention of disease and the treatment of illness. They work on research projects like investigating why the immune system can attack the body's own tissues, causing diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, developing vaccines against diseases like meningitis and HIV, studying the causes of allergies or investigating ways to stop the body rejecting transplants. Some immunologists work in animal health. There are also opportunities to lecture in universities.
Hours can vary, but immunologists usually work normal daytime hours, from Monday to Friday. They usually work in laboratories, sometimes under sterile conditions. Protective clothing, including a white coat, rubber gloves and a face mask, may be worn. Lecturers will also work in classrooms and lecture theatres.
Salaries range from £16,500 to £66,000 a year.
An immunologist needs:
Immunologists are employed by universities, the National Health Service (NHS) (including the blood transfusion service), the Health Protection Agency and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
It is possible to enter as a technician straight from school with GCSEs/S grades or A levels/H grades, but this is rare and most technicians are graduates. Immunologists usually need a degree in immunology or a related subject like medical macrobiology, genetics or biomedical science. There is no upper age limit for this work.
Graduates intending to work in university research usually begin by studying for a PhD. The NHS training programme is open to graduates with a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject. It combines formal teaching and practical experience. Employers in industry usually offer their own in-house training.
In universities and the NHS there are clearly defined career structures. In industry, promotion prospects depend on individual employers. Some immunologists move into related careers including scientific research and publishing, quality assurance and control, or sales, finance or management in the biotechnology industry.
Do you know of a useful and relevant website that would be helpful to our users? Tell us about it by emailing 
