Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Medical Services

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

NEET PG, NEET SS

About Career 

1. As an Immunologist, you will study, understand and examine the principles & mechanisms of the immune system and immune responses in the context of infection, malignancy and immunological disorders in humans. These include but are not limited to allergy, cancer, asthma, or viral/ bacterial infections as well as chemical exposures to hazardous substances like asbestos or arsenic. Some Immunologists also specialize in the area of laboratory medicine and drug discovery.

2. Our immune system is our body's defense against infection and illness. It recognizes the cells that make up our body, and tries to get rid of anything unfamiliar. It destroys germs (bacteria or viruses) and parasites as well as other chemical agents that can cause illness.

3. Collectively, Immunologists focus on the structure and functioning of the immune system at the cellular, molecular and genetic level, and how it relates to health and disease. Immunologists can be both from a clinical and a non-clinical background which means they may or may not have a medical degree and are engaged in varying work roles primarily surrounding how to enhance the human immune system and protect us from the disease.

4. If you think of the ongoing bio-war that we are fighting against our common enemy, the coronavirus, thousands of Immunologists are at the frontline trying to discover ways in which the human immune system is tackling the virus naturally so as to defeat it but is failing in some cases.

5. So, scientists and clinicians across the world are examining the various mechanisms and processes involving the T cells and B cells of our immune system that are combating the virus. They are doing this to discover a way to stop the virus from spreading and make humans immune to such a viral attack. On a serious note, in this case, the virus is called an “antigen” and the B cells of our immune systems produce “antibodies” to fight such antigens. We will come across details in a short while!

6. A defective immune system may be the primary cause of various other ailments too. Immune responses contribute to the development of many common disorders, including metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s too.

What is the immune system actually and how it works?

1. The immune system is a complex system of structures & processes. These structures and mechanisms have evolved through hundreds of thousands of years to protect us from the disease. Different molecular & cellular components (white blood cells, antibodies, lymphatic system) make up the immune system.

2. Since the birth of woman and man, we have seen multiple variations in the types of illnesses that can affect us. Initially Homo habilis was not affected by so many different kinds of ailments. Now we (Homo sapiens) have a plethora of types and sub-types diseases as the population has exploded with millions of genetic trait variations over the years.

3. The evolved immune system components of the present-day provide us with far better immunity. These components interact through various chemical interplays. The immune system is a highly regulated and balanced system and when that balance is disturbed, the disease can result.

4. The function of these components may be (A) “innate”(from birth) to an organism. Or they may be (B) “adaptive” to specific pathogens which are reactive responses that act in a particular way subsequent to infection.

Innate Immunity

Components of innate immunity protect us for the first few days of infection. These components are macrophages, white blood cells (neutrophils, basophils), mast cells, our skin or saliva, etc. The responses of these components are the same for all potential pathogens, no matter how different the pathogens may be. In some cases, this is enough to clear a pathogen. But in some other instances the second line of defense kicks in.

Adaptive Immunity

This is the second line of defense. This involves building up a memory of encountered infections from the past. The larger the memory, the more robust the response will be in case a pathogen or foreign disease-causing agent attacks. Antibodies (produced by B cells) and T cells are the frontline warriors here. Antibodies target foreign pathogens roaming free in the bloodstream. T cells target colonies of infected cells and directly kill those colonies. T cells may in turn also help control an antibody response.

Immunologists and Modern Medicine

1. Immunological research continues beyond horizons to extend our understanding of how to treat significant health issues, with ongoing research efforts in immunotherapy, autoimmune diseases (such as arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto’s etc.), and vaccines for emerging pathogens, such as Ebola or Corona. Advancing our understanding of basic immunology is essential for clinical and commercial applications.

2. Think of a patient who needs a bone marrow transplant or a kidney transplant. Such cases are critical and incorrect identification of blood groups or poor transfusion strategies may result in fatalities. Medical Immunologists have a huge role to play in these cases.

Clinical scenarios that Immunologists are globally focused on today:

1. Developing Vaccines: these provide a sneak 'preview' of a specific pathogen such as bacteria, viruses or parasites to the immune system of the vaccinated individual. Vaccines contain small inactive amounts of the pathogen. This stimulates the body's immune system to prepare itself in the event that infection occurs. Recent developments to fight coronavirus through vaccines can be a striking example.

2. Immunodeficiency: when the immune system is so impaired that it is unable to mount an appropriate defense. Such impairment may be present from birth, are hereditary and generally rare. Otherwise, they may result later in life from an infection or other environmental factors. B cells or T cells deficiency are examples.

3. Autoimmune diseases: when the immune system attacks the body, it is meant to protect. Rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis are examples.

4. Allergies: when the body's immune system reacts against harmless foreign substances, resulting in damage to the body's own tissues. Almost any substance (an allergen) can cause allergies such as certain types of food, like peanuts, or from inhaling airborne substances, such as pollen, or dust. In allergic reactions, the body believes allergens are dangerous and immediately produce substances to attack them.

5. Asthma: occurs when the immune system responds to inhaled particles from the air. This can be fatal sometimes. It is particularly prevalent in children.

6. Cancer: abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth. Cancer cells can avoid destruction by the immune system. However, researchers have been trying to manipulate the immune system to defeat cancer through immunotherapy.

7. Transplants: this involves transferring cells, tissues or organs from a donor to a recipient. The primary scare in such cases is that the recipient’s immune system may consider the incoming transplant as harmful, may reject it and may attack to destroy it. This is fatal. So, Immunologists are involved in understanding the mechanisms & clinical features of rejection, advising treatment, developing new strategies & drugs to manage transplants and limit the risk of rejection.

Functional Fields of Work

Scientific / Clinical Research:

1. You will be involved in independent research studies which are either sponsored by the industry or leading institutes or government departments etc. which are operating in this domain.

2. Sometimes these researches may be applicable and tested on patients directly in hospital settings, this will be clinical research. If you are based out of a laboratory and your research does not involve clinical testing, it will be scientific research.

3. Some examples can be: You may be investigating about our immunological memory to infections (how do humans remember past infections)specifically if you are researching on the development of novel screening and therapeutic strategies or new therapies.

4. You may be focused on finding out how genetic variations are responsible for human susceptibility to infections. Alternatively, your research may be centered at how to suppress the ability of cancer cells not to evade a functioning immune system.

Patient Care:

1. In this case, you may primarily be a doctor and super-specialized in areas like Immunology, Allergy& Infections, Transplant Immunology, Transfusion Medicine, Critical Care medicine, etc. Work involves supervision, diagnoses and treatment/therapy for patients suffering from immunological or allergic damage or those needing critical care or transplants (organ/bone marrow), etc.

2. You may be involved in helping other clinicians get a full picture of a patient’s condition. Treatment may be extended through the administration of internal medicine or patient may be referred to a surgeon for surgery. Your work hours will be primarily consumed in a hospital, nursing home, or intensive care unit.

Education and Training:

Typically, in colleges & universities, all educators are involved in training and educating aspiring scientists or clinicians. Work will be full-time, laboratory/classroom-based. Educators/Trainers are involved in teaching/demonstrating to a class of undergraduate or postgraduate students in an educational establishment. Educators are also simultaneously involved in supervising a team of research/ postdoctoral scholars, outlining research strategies for them and conducting research studies with them too.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Scientific / Clinical Research

1. You will deliver high quality, biologically relevant experiment designs for all immunologic therapeutic areas, by employing a combination of scientific tools & methodologies, including but not limited to assay development, high throughput screening, compound profiling, and mechanism of action studies.

2. You will plan, organize, coordinate & participate in scientific research projects, in collaborative work on study/experiment design, data analysis, & manuscript preparation for various scientific projects.

3. You will be engaged in testing of laboratory product/ systems/ procedures/ experiment designs on human patients/ mouse/ humanized mouse & rat environments (tests done inside rodents).

4. You will select, design & oversee appropriate in vitro (synthetic / chemical medium) and in vivo (biological medium) studies to support model development and validate computational predictions.

5. You will be engaged in the design and implementation of plate-based cellular immunology assays to evaluate small molecules (chemical entities) as well as biologics (larger molecules obtained from plants/ animals/ microbes etc.) in pathways governing innate or adaptive immunity.

6. You will contribute to discovery projects & technology advances and you will aid other scientists in the development and analysis of experiments.

7. You will determine specific goals or objectives to be obtained; evaluate research data and develop & revise techniques or approaches to work problems.

8. You will study and understand relevant datasets/publications, both those generated internally in your organization and those from the public domain.

9. You will design, develop or adapt equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results. You will be responsible for laboratory equipment and implementing safety procedures.

10. You will independently compose abstracts, technical reports, slide presentations, posters, spreadsheets, and manuscripts for submission to corporate and federal sponsors, conferences, and scientific journals.

11. You will produce medical illustrations, scientific posters, publication graphics, and slide presentations for national & international meetings, conferences, symposiums etc.

Patient Care:

1. You will provide clinical care to pediatric, adolescents, adults and elderly patients with allergic and immunologic diseases, including patients with complex & chronic diseases, challenging allergic/immunologic disorders such as food allergy, severe atopic skin disease, primary immune deficiency disorders, etc.which may or may not pose the threat of death, organ or system failure, irreversible organ or system failure, irreversible damage or loss of permanent impairment of a body function.

2. You will be examining a patient (physical examination and primary screening) for diagnosis of and obtaining information on medical/physical conditions, history, and tendencies to ascertain necessary medical attention or required surgical procedures.

3. You will be diagnosing bodily disorders and clinical conditions and suggest therapeutic treatments, such as prescribing medicines or necessary surgeries, in hospital wards, clinics, or operating rooms.

4. You will be determining the nature of the treatment, conferring with other medical professionals if required for or to obtain historical data to construct a patient’s medical portfolio and plan further treatment - advising throughout the prognosis (progression) of a disease.

5. You will be involved in recording the patient’s condition or progress throughout the tenure of treatment sessions, writing reports and maintaining proper registers containing patient information (case histories).

Education and Training:

1. You will be involved in instructing/teaching to a class of students pursuing graduate, postgraduate or higher levels or study in the fields of Immunology, Life Sciences, Immunogenetics, Histocompatibility or related disciplines.

2. You will demonstrate techniques or handling of instruments/tools to your students and counsel / guide them through real-time problem cases.

3. You will design research projects for them and supervise their performances.

4. You will participate in seminars, medical congresses, conferences across the world.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – MBBS – Diploma in Immuno hematology/Allergy & Clinical Immunology / Medical Virology /Transfusion Medicine or similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, go for medical degrees like MBBS. Then go for a Diploma in Immuno hematology/Allergy & Clinical Immunology / Medical Virology /Transfusion Medicine or similar

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies - MBBS - MD - PhD

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, go for MBBS degree. Then pursue MD in Immuno haematology/Allergy & Clinical Immunology / Transfusion Medicine or similar. Then you have an option to go for doctoral studies or your PhD in Clinical Immunology or a closely related field.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – MBBS – MD in Immuno haematology/Allergy & Clinical Immunology / Transfusion Medicine or similar – DM in Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology or similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for MBBS degree. Then go for MD in Immunohaematology/Allergy & Clinical Immunology / Transfusion Medicine or similar disciplines. Then pursue DM in Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology or similar disciplines.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – MBBS – MD in Microbiology/ Physiology/ Pathology or similar – PhD in Clinical Immunology / Transfusion Medicine / Allergy & Immunology or similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for medical degrees like MBBS. Then go for MD in Microbiology/ Physiology/ Pathology or similar in your respective disciplines. Thereafter go for a PhD in Clinical Immunology / Transfusion Medicine / Allergy & Immunology or similar

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor’s in Life Sciences/ Microbiology/ Physiology/ Human Anatomy/ Zoologyor similar – Master’s in Life Sciences/ Microbiology/ Physiology/ Human Anatomy/ Zoology/ Agricultural Sciences or similar – PhD in Immunology or similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, go for a Bachelor’s in Life Sciences/ Microbiology/ Physiology/ Human Anatomy/ Zoology or similar. Then you can pursue Master’s in Life Sciences/ Microbiology/ Physiology/ Human Anatomy/ Zoology/ Agricultural Sciences or similar. Thereafter, go for a PhD in Immunology/ Immunobiology or similar areas of study.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor’s in Life Sciences/ Microbiology/ Physiology/ Human Anatomy/ Zoology/ Biomedical Engineeringor similar – Master’s in Immunology/ Genetics/ Molecular Biology or similar – PhD in Immunology / Immunogenetics or similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, go for a Bachelor’s in Life Sciences/ Microbiology/ Physiology/ Human Anatomy/ Zoology/ Biomedical Engineering or similar. Then go for a Master’s in Immunology/ Genetics/ Molecular Biology or similar. Then go for PhD or doctoral studies in Immunology/ Immunogenetics or a closely related field.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor’s in Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biophysicsor similar – Master’s in Molecular Genetics/ Immunology/ Biochemistry or similar – PhD in Immunology / Immunogenetics or similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, go for a Bachelor’s in Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biophysics or similar. Then go for a Master’s in Molecular Genetics/ Immunology/ Biochemistry or similar. Then go for PhD or doctoral studies in Immunology/ Immunogenetics or a closely related field.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor’s in Physics/ Chemistry/ Statistics – Master’s in Bioinformatics./ Biochemistry/ Biostatistics / Molecular Genetics– PhD in Immunoinformatics/ Immunochemistry or similar

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After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, go for a Bachelor’s in Physics/ Chemistry/ Statistics. Then pursue Master’s in Bioinformatics. / Biochemistry/ Biostatistics / Molecular Genetics or similar subjects. Then go for PhD or doctoral studies in Immunoinformatics/ Immunochemistry or a closely related field.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

1. To gain entry into this field, you must clear Class 10 with all subjects as per scheme of studies.

2. Thereafter, you must clear Class 11-12 examinations (higher secondary) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies.

After Class 11-12, you may pursue:

1. MBBS degree

2. Bachelor’s in Life Sciences/ Microbiology/ Physiology/ Human Anatomy/ Zoology or similar

3. Bachelor’s in Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biophysics or similar

4. Bachelor’s in Physics/ Chemistry/ Statistics

You can study for a Master’s or Doctoral degree in any of the following fields (Note that these fields will not offer you a degree at the graduation that is in Bachelor’s level. These fields will offer a degree only at the Master’s or at the Doctoral level):

1. Immunology

2. Medical Immunology

3. Immunohematology

4. Clinical Immunology

5. Immunochemistry

6. Immunogenetics

7. Immunoinformatics

8. Eco-immunology

9. Behavioral Immunology

10. Transfusion Medicine

11. Allergy, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine

12. Immuno-oncology

13. Immunodiagnostics

14. Developmental Immunology

Competencies Required

Interests

1. You should have an interest in Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision making and problem-solving.

2. You should have an interest in Enterprising Occupations. Enterprising occupations involve taking initiative, initiating actions, and planning to achieve goals, often business goals. These involve gathering resources and leading people to get things done. These require decision-making, risk-taking and action orientation.

3. You should have an interest in Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment.

Knowledge & Skills

1. You should have knowledge of Biological Sciences –Knowledge of plants and animals, their anatomical structure, cell structure, tissues, physiological functions, evolution, and all other related aspects.

2. You should have knowledge of analytical or scientific software relevant to your industry such as NCBI RefSeq, SAS, BioPerl, ClustalW, ENSEMBL, Illumina Laboratory Information Management System LIMS, Life Technologies Solid, Life Technologies Vector NTI, Agilent, Minitab, Vogel Scientific Software Group CALACO, , Benfield ReMetrica, Systat Software Sigma Stat etc.

3. You should have Scientific Skills - in using various scientific rules and methods to get things done or solve problems.

4. You should have Technical Skills - using various technologies and technical methods to get things done or solve problems.

5. You should have Quality Control Analysis Skills - conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

6. You should have experience working independently under general direction within the scope of an assignment and use sound judgment in determining methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.

7. You should have Systems Analysis Skills - determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, or the environment will affect outcomes.

8. You should have enough verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present technical ideas/results.

9. You should have Critical Thinking skills- Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

10. You should have Judgment and Decision Making Skills - considering pros and cons of various decision alternatives; considering costs and benefits; taking appropriate and suitable decisions.

11. You should have Problem Solving Skills - Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems and using the best option to solve the problems.

Ability

1. You should have Deductive Reasoning Ability - apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.

2. You should have Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

3. You should have Inductive Reasoning Ability - to combine pieces of information from various sources, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analyzing various events or situations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions.

4. You should have Information Ordering Ability - to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

5. You should have Oral Comprehension Ability - listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

6. You should have Oral Expression Ability - communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

7. You should have Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with several ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Personality Traits

1. You are always imaginative or in most situations.

2. You are always or mostly careful about your actions and behaviour.

3. You are always or mostly disciplined in your action and behaviour.

4. You can always act independently or could do so in most situations.

5. You always prefer to experience new things and have new experiences, or you mostly do.

6. You are always calm or generally remain calm in most situations.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

You will find opportunities across science & medicine in various enterprises such as an education & research institution or in a clinical setting like a hospital/nursing home/healthcare center or in multinational companies (pharmaceutical/biotech) as well.

1. In educational & research &institutions, government medical colleges/ research hospitals such as NII (National Institute of Immunology), AIIMS (All India Institute Of Medical Sciences), PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research), JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research), CCMB (Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology), IISER (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research), IISc (Indian Institute of Science), Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr M G R Medical University, Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences etc.

2. In a clinical setting like in a private hospital/nursing home/healthcare center / super specialty centers such as Max Healthcare, Fortis Healthcare, TATA Health Centre, Artemis, National Allergy Centre (NAC), BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Adiva Super Specialty Care, Apollo Hospitals, MGS Super Specialty Hospital, Primus Super specialty etc.

3. Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals market with leading drugs/ human vaccines manufacturers such as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Tanabe Pharma, Sanofi etc. – in a research-based role (clinical or scientific) or even in quaternary roles like secondary research (desk job, online research) or with a PhD, you may even get into senior policy-making roles.

Specialisation Tracks In This Career

1. Immuno-oncologist/ Cancer Immuno therapist

Immune oncologists study the artificial stimulation of the immune system to treat cancer and improve the immune system's natural ability to fight the disease. It is an application of the fundamental research surrounding the efforts to fight cancer and is largely appreciated & a popular field. Scientists believe that cancer cells have certain molecules in their cell surfaces which can be detected by the immune system of a patient to inhibit or kill them. Immuno-oncology is an extremely popular field of study given the widespread prevalence of cancer today.

2. Immunologist (Immunogenetics)

Immunogeneticists are specialists in the study of the intricate relationships between the genetic framework of organisms, specifically humans, and their immune systems. Complex genetic traits may result from defects in the immune system and a defective immune system may also result in inheritable genetic alterations or aberrations. Alternatively, genetic variations can also help to define the immunological pathway leading to a disease. Comparative studies of genetics and immunology can throw light on the course of many diseases and in turn help in developing therapies for them. Intensive research of both academic and commercial working groups are today focused in this area.

3. Clinical Immunologist

Clinical Immunologists study diseases caused by disorders of the immune system. They also study diseases of other systems, where immune reactions play a part in the pathology (development of a disease) and clinical features (symptoms). Immunodeficiency and autoimmunity are 2 categories of disorders of the immune system. Immunodeficiency is the failure of the body to provide an adequate response to an attack such as infection, injury or allergy. Autoimmune diseases are those in which the immune system attacks its own host's body.

4. Immunologist (Immunoinformatics/ Computational Immunology)

This comprises the interface between computer science and experimental immunology. Immunoinformaticians focus on the large volume of computational data that has already been accumulated due to the sequencing of genomes of humans and other model organisms. High-throughput digital data often helps in discovering health-related secrets and serves as a weapon in critical situations when experimental science becomes too time-expensive such as during an epidemic. Huge amounts of clinical & epidemiologic data are already being deposited in various scientific literature and clinical records. Such records form like a goldmine for researchers looking for mechanisms of immune function and disease pathogenesis.

5. Immunologist (Immunodiagnostics)

A wide range of medical tests are immunoassays, called immunodiagnostics. Immunodiagnostics experts build new biochemical technology based on a macromolecule, a small molecule or a protein in a chemical solution to detect the presence of another in a body fluid such as blood, spinal fluid or urine. These are widely used globally to detect diseases, abnormalities, pathogenesis etc. Examples can be home pregnancy test kits, anti-dope assays to test athletes' blood samples, other clinical assays can be the ones to assess heart disease, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) etc.

6. Immunologist (Immunochemistry)

Immunochemistry experts study biochemical & molecular aspects of immunology, especially the nature of antibodies, antigens and their interactions. They examine the chemical reactions and components of the immune system. This involves the study of the properties, functions, interactions & production of the chemical components of the immune system, immune responses and the development of various methods of immunochemical assays and their multiple applicability. Various methods in immunochemistry have been developed, refined, and used in scientific studies, from virology to molecular evolution.

7. Specialist (Transfusion Medicine)

Transfusion Medicine specialists study the immunologic concepts of the transfusion of blood & blood components including aspects related to organ or bone marrow transplants which are critical to a patient’s life. They study issues of blood donation and other laboratory testing for transfusion-transmitted diseases, stem cell collections, management & monitoring of clinical transfusion practices, cellular therapy, patient blood management, and coagulation.

8. Immunologist (Developmental Immunology)

Developmental Immunologists study the factors responsible for the development of immune cells & organs in an organism’s body. In newly born babies, the immune system is still in developing condition, while with aging, the system gets depressed. Hence, there are several factors that are responsible for an active immune system in the human body which include age, maternal factors, etc. Maternal milk carries various important factors like antibodies that are needed for active innate immunity. These antibodies actually help new born babies to survive for months without any external vaccination.

9. Immunologist (Eco-immunology & Behavioral Immunity)

Eco-immunologists, or ecological immunologists, explore the relationship between the immune system of a human and its social, biotic and abiotic environment. Some Eco-immunologists may also seek to understand the immune systems of wild animals like bighorn sheep etc. instead of genetically similar lab animals, which don’t reflect a real-world scenario, and use that knowledge to gain a better understanding of human immune systems. Another major goal is to understand the pathways that deadly diseases can follow to flow from wildlife to humans. In the last 30 years, more than 300 infectious diseases in humans originated in animals, including AIDS, Ebola, SARS, Lyme, hantavirus, West Nile virus and new strains of flu (like the novel coronavirus).

​​​​​​​Career Growth

You may join as a Scientist Grade A, Scientific Advisor (after Ph.D./ MD), Medical Superintendent, Medical Officer, Scientific Investigator, Consultant, Research Associate, Research Assistant, or Project Officer. You may proceed to research-oriented roles like Scientist B / C / D or higher, specifically in government-funded / aided research institutions or in teaching hospitals & colleges.

1. The career growth in university and college begins from Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor, Professor and Professor Emeritus. Professors can also get administrative positions such as Director/Dean/Vice-Chancellor, etc.

2. If you are hired as a research associate, then you will go on to become a Doctoral Research Fellow, and then a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Progressive Grades. 

3. If you join the private industry in Research / Scientific or related roles, you may progress to the Senior Level, Lead -> Principal -> Chief levels, and then gradually move on to become Research Director or VP-Strategy, etc.

Salary Offered  

1. After a Master’s degree, a stipend in India while doing Ph.D. is about Rs. 35,000-38,000 a month in a university or research Centre or as a Research Associate with a salary of about Rs. 15,000-20,000 a month.

2. After a Ph.D., a stipend for Post-Doctoral Fellows in a research institution or university research Centre is Rs. 40,000-45,000 a month.

3. In other organizations/companies mostly after a Ph.D. or after a Post-Doctoral Fellowship, salaries in India may vary between Rs. 50,000-1, 20,000 a month or even more.

4. After your MD/Ph.D., at entry-level jobs, you may expect to make about Rs. 50,000 – 1, 00,000 or even more a month. Higher salaries are paid to graduates from premier institutions or with a medical degree.

5. Opportunities after a non-medical Master’s degree are few and far between. However, it may be possible with a Master’s degree plus some professional certificates endorsing your skills for common industry software or simulation techniques relevant to your field of education especially if you want to practice in areas like Immunoinformatics, Immunochemistry or Immunogenetics.

6. At junior level jobs with MD/Ph.D. or entry-level jobs with higher qualifications like DM, you may expect to get about Rs. 70,000 – 2, 00,000 or even more per month.

7. In mid-level jobs in India, may vary from Rs. 1, 00,000 – 3, 00,000 per month or even more.

8. At a senior level, you may earn about Rs. 2, 00,000 –5, 00,000 or even more a month. Associate Scientific Directors or Directors of Quantitative Research or VP- Head of Developmental Sciences may earn about Rs. 50, 00,000 to 3, 00, 00,000 or much more per year.

The emoluments of Scientists as per the 7th Central Pay Commission in India are given below. The minimum qualification required for entry-level positions is a Master's degree or post-graduation. These are all monthly initial pays in INR. Initial pay increases as an individual grow through ranks and pay bands in each level.

1. Scientist 'B' (Level 10):  56,100/-

2. Scientist 'C' (Level 11):  67,700/-

3. Scientist 'D' (Level 12):  78,800/-

4. Scientist 'E' (Level 13): 1,23,100/-

5. Scientist 'F' (Level 13A):  1,31,100/-

6. Scientist 'G' (Level 14): 1,44,200/-

7. Scientist 'H' / Outstanding Scientist (Level 15):  1,82,200/-

8. Distinguished Scientist(Level 16):  2,05,400/-

9. Secretary / Chairman(Level 17):  2,25,000/-

The monthly salaries of faculty approved by the Ministry of HRD (Department of Higher Education), Govt. of India are:

1. Assistant Professor Grade-II: Rs 57700 to Rs 117200

2. Assistant Professor Grade I: Rs 101500 to Rs 204700

3. Associate Professor: Rs 139600 to Rs 211300

4. Professor: Rs 144200 to Rs 224100

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1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience

3. Mid-Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also in the near future, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and in some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Not Available 

Work Activities 

1. Analysing and interpreting data and information: Analysis of data and information to find facts, trends, reasons behind situations, etc.; interpretation of data to aid in decision-making.

2. Assisting and caring for people: Assisting people in availing of services; taking care of people in different situations; offering help and services to others.

3. Communicating with co-workers and others: Communicating with people in writing, verbally or otherwise inside your workplace and various other people who have professional relationships with your place of work including vendors, government officials, etc. or with people at large.

4. Creative thinking: Developing new ideas, concepts, innovative solutions to problems, newer ways of getting things done, designing products and services, creating works of art and craft, etc.

5. Developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships: Developing professional relationships with co-workers and others outside organisations and maintaining good relationships.

6. Getting Information and learning: Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

7. Inspecting situations, events, and people: Inspecting situations, events and people to understand the reasons and causes for the situation or events to happen; inspecting people to understand reasons behind their conditions, behavior and actions.

8. Monitoring processes, systems and performance: Observing and recording information on various criteria to monitor experiments, processes and systems; monitoring the progress of projects and tasks.

9. Operating machines, equipment, devices, systems and processes: Using various methods and techniques to operate machines, equipment, devices, systems and processes in laboratory and other settings.

10. Making decisions and solving problems: Analysis of data and information; evaluation of alternative decisions and results of decisions; taking the right decisions and solving problems.

11. Organising, planning and prioritizing tasks: Planning and organising tasks in order to achieve work goals; prioritizing tasks to achieve goals and making the best use of the time available.

12. Processing information: Compiling, tabulating, calculating, auditing, verifying or otherwise dealing with information processing including data entry, transcription, recording, storing and maintaining databases.

13. Providing advices and consultation to others: Giving advices or consultation to others about various issues, conceptual matters, know-hows, scientific matters, products or services.

14. Scheduling tasks: Scheduling project timelines, tasks and activities.

15. Strategic planning: Developing visions and goals, developing strategies and action plans for achieving visions and goals.

16. Training and teaching: Understanding the educational and training needs of others, developing training programs and educational programs, teaching and instructing others.

17. Updating and using relevant knowledge: Keeping updated with the latest knowledge relevant to your fields of work and use of the relevant knowledge in getting things done.

18. Using computers for work: Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and process information; for writing.

19. Working directly with people: Working directly with people to offer them products and services, providing assistance, etc.

20. Working in a team: Working in a team of people; developing team; maintaining professional relationships among team members.

21. Working with computers, programming and performing technical tasks: Using computers and computer systems, hardware and software for programming, developing software and/or hardware, developing computer applications, systems, and networks; developing mobile applications.