How to become a virologist

Is becoming a virologist right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do virologists do?

Still unsure if becoming a virologist is the right career path? to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a virologist or another similar career!

Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.

How to become a Virologist

Becoming a virologist requires a strong background in science, advanced education, and specialized training in studying viruses and infectious diseases. The path you take depends on whether you want to focus on research, medicine, or public health.

  • Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Start by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related field. During this time, take courses in genetics, immunology, chemistry, and molecular biology. Hands-on experience through internships or undergraduate research is highly recommended to build laboratory skills and prepare for advanced studies.
  • Choose a Career Path - Research or Medical Virology: Decide whether you want to focus on research virology or clinical virology. If you’re interested in laboratory research, vaccines, or biotechnology, a Ph.D. in Virology or Microbiology is the best path. If you want to diagnose and treat viral diseases in patients, you’ll need to attend medical school (M.D. or D.O.) and specialize in infectious diseases.
  • Earn a Ph.D. or Medical Degree: To become a research virologist, earn a Ph.D. in Virology, Microbiology, or a related field, which involves independent research on viruses, molecular biology, and immunology. For medical virology, complete four years of medical school followed by specialized training in internal medicine and infectious diseases. Some virologists also earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) if they plan to work in epidemiology or public health.
  • Complete Postdoctoral Training or Medical Residency: Research virologists typically complete postdoctoral training in academic institutions, government agencies like the CDC or NIH, or biotech companies to develop expertise in a specific area. Medical virologists complete a residency in internal medicine (3 years), followed by a fellowship in infectious diseases (2-3 years) to specialize in treating viral infections and working with public health organizations.
  • Obtain Certifications (If Required): Medical virologists must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and may pursue board certification in infectious diseases through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Research virologists can earn certifications from the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) or similar professional organizations to demonstrate specialized knowledge in virology.
  • Start a Career in Virology: Once training is complete, virologists can work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, universities, or government agencies like the CDC, NIH, or FDA. Career paths include vaccine development, antiviral drug research, outbreak control, medical diagnostics, or academic teaching and research. Some virologists work in public health, epidemiology, or biosafety programs to help prevent and manage viral outbreaks.
  • How Long Does It Take: Becoming a research virologist (Ph.D. path) takes 10-12 years (4 years undergraduate + 4-6 years Ph.D. + 2-4 years postdoctoral training). Becoming a medical virologist (M.D. path) takes 10-14 years (4 years undergraduate + 4 years medical school + 3-6 years residency/fellowship).