Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

A Laboratory Manager manages all aspects of the laboratory service in chemical, research or clinical laboratories and ensures appropriate staffing, equipment, quality and safety for accreditation by the Irish National Accreditation Board.

Laboratory Managers, also known as Senior Lab Technicians are responsible for overseeing the work activities and personnel of a scientific laboratory. Laboratory managers are responsible for organising and controlling all aspects of a laboratory environment.

Laboratory Managers could be involved in a variety of research projects such as diagnosing diseases, measuring levels of pollution or developing new products. 

A laboratory manager performs a variety of general and laboratory-specific administrative duties. He/She usually evaluates and hires job applicants, and organises or administers training and laboratory orientation. 

Work involves making risk assessments for the laboratory and ensuring that the company's Health & Safety policy is adhered to as well as keeping track of all laboratory equipment and materials.

Work also involves assisting staff, students or others by providing lab equipment instructions or procedural guidance. The lab Manager must anticipate potential problems and help staff to resolve them as they occur to get back on schedule. A laboratory manager also consult or arrange staff consultations with experts from various fields whose knowledge can help with the completion of work tasks.

Lab Managers act as an interface between the client and laboratory staff and may be required to create and follow a budget. 

An important aspect of a Lab Manager's work is ensuring the proper handling, storage and disposal of hasardous materials. 

Maintenance usually involves inspection, cleaning, calibration, testing and repair of lab equipment; and organisation and cleaning of the lab, including preparation and storage rooms. If necessary, the laboratory manager will contact vendors to provide maintenance services.

A Lab Manager will also determine when the laboratory needs to be open for students or researchers. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
• Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
• Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
• Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
• Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
• Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
• Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
• Prepare project proposals.
• Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
• Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are many pathways to develop towards a career as a Laboratory Manager. Most lab manager will have a degre and possibly post graduate qualifications.  

Traning & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship Laboratory Assistant, Quality management, Supervisory management & leadership NFQ level 5 Search FET Courses 

FET Centre PLC Courses Applied Science, Lab techniques / Pre-Apprenticeship Lab science at NFQ level 5 Search PLC Courses  

Apprenticeship Lab Technician, Lab Analyst NFQ level 6-7, Lean Sigma Management NFQ level 9 Search Apprenticeship

Higher Education CAO Entry: Science disciplines relevant to your chosen career area of focus courses at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Clinical Laboratory Science , Biology - Research, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceutical Sciences NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €50k - €100k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / Morgan McKinley/ CPL / Collins McNicholas/ Sigmar

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
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• Science Foundation Ireland

  • Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • 01 - 607 3200
  • [email protected]
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• ACSLM Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine

  • 31 Old Kilmainham Dublin 8 D08 V062 Ireland
  • 01 9059730
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here