Vollmer is the Isaac H. Clothier jr. Professor Emerita of Biology, at Swarthmore College.

She taught molecular biology courses at Mills College for four years. Then she spent 33 years at Swarthmore College teaching courses in microbiology and biotechnology. She supervised more than 90 students in her research lab in the general area of bacterial stress response. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, was awarded the Carski Award for Undergraduate Education, and was a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar.  She was the President of the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology from 2007-2017.  Vollmer also served the director of the Swarthmore Summer Scholars Program for four years and is credited with establishing it into a fully supported, endowed program.