Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

The Work

A Science Communicator works with students and other groups to bring Science, Engineering and Technology to life, and to increase understading of science and the role of scientists. They use a variety of tools such as demonstrations, lectures and workshops.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
• Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Supervise students' laboratory and field work.
• Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
• Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
• Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

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.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

There is no single route to becoming a Science Communicator. A good understanding of science is Beneficial. You do not actually need a science degree, although most people in the occupation have a a science background or a science-related qualification.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & Office Admin, Broadcasting & Digital media skills, Training & Development in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Sales, Marketing, Teaching, Digital media, Applied science, Community & Youthwork  at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Engineering, Recruitment, Sales, Lean Sigma management Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Sales, Teaching, Marketing, Digital media, Communications, Public Health and Health Promotion - Health Sciences,  NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Management, Health Promotion, Public Health, Marketing, Community & Youth Work NFQ level 9

Smart Futures

SFI Science foundation Ireland

Engineers Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €84k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
SFI careers/ Payscale.com/ Indeed.ie/ IUA scales

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).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

Scientists

The annual employment growth rate over the five-year period was above average for this occupation, with employment increasing by almost 2,000 persons between 2021 and 2022. Almost a third of employment was in industry with the remainder spread across many sectors. The number of new employment permits issued grew from 164 to 506 between 2021 and 2022, with two fifths of permits issued for roles in the manufacturing of chemicals/pharma sub-sector for scientists and analysts (e.g. quality control, chemists); other roles include medical scientists/technologists, microbiologists, process development and R&D scientists. In June 2022, medical scientists were moved to the Critical Skills Employment Permit List due to issues with sourcing suitable candidates; in Summer 2023, the Government announced plans to expand the number of training places for medical scientists by 20 places.

The Recruitment Agency Survey identified difficult-to-fill vacancy mentions for analytical and process scientists. Online job adverts for this occupation grew slightly in 2022, almost all related to posts for R&D managers. This was the most frequently occurring occupation in online job adverts in 2022. With employment levels increasing and demand still evident, shortages are expected to persist for this occupation, particularly in the chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, for those with experience and/or in niche areas.

The recent decline in the value of pharmaceutical exports in Ireland is unlikely to have a significant impact on the demand for skills as, in addition to being in strong demand in the pharma & biopharma processing industry, they are much sought after elsewhere in both the life sciences sector (e.g. medical devices) and other manufacturing (e.g. food & beverage); in addition, Government focus (and investment) on research and innovation will also sustain the already strong demand for these skills37. Shortag

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