Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

The Work

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes in organisms. Biochemists may look into changes that occur in the body due to disease, examine how hormones work, or how plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. They carry out research and development of products to solve problems in industry, agriculture and medicine.  
 
At the start of pharmaceutical research projects, biochemists usually investigate how a disease develops and spreads. The results help to decide what biological properties and chemical structure a drug should have, and what form it should take, for example, as a tablet or lotion.  
 
They analyse and interpret data related to patient samples, this assists with the investigation diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They are responsible for the evaluation and quality assessment of diagnostic tests.  
 
Work on a new drug involves routine testing, often using laboratory animals. The biochemist must test the drug's strength and look for possible side effects. In their research, biochemists may work with chemists, biologists, pharmacists and medical doctors.  
 
Clinical biochemists in the health service analyse body tissues and fluids to help with routine diagnosis, and help to monitor treatment. Biochemists test body fluids like blood to detect changes in the body caused by disease.  
 
Biochemists use computers for data handling and routine analysis. Sophisticated equipment can carry out thousands of tests per hour. Other tests, for example to find a drug taken in an overdose, may be intricate and take several days of manual testing.  
 
Biochemists in the agrochemical industry help develop products like insecticides and fertilisers.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
• Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
• Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
• Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
• Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
• Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
• Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
• Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
• Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
• Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.

Further Information

• Biochemist - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Biochemist - from: GradIreland

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.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Biochemists typically have a degree in Biochemistry, or a related science subject with a substantial biochemical content.

Clinical Biochemist's in the HSE must possess a BSc (Hons)/BA (Mod) in a subject area related to clinical biochemistry/laboratory medicine and diagnostics. Once taken on further specific training, competence assessment and education will be undertaken. A degree in which biochemistry was taken as a subject in the final examination is required in order to be eligible for registration as a Clinical Biochemist.

Postgraduate route:
 
A postgraduate qualification like a MSc or PhD is an advantage, especially when applying for research posts, because entry is very competitive.  
 
Some employers give graduates the opportunity to work towards a postgraduate qualification while they are in employment. It may be possible to work your way up from the position of laboratory technician. You would need to study part-time to do this.

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Quality Management, Life Sciences Manufacturing Operations, Laboratory Assistant, Engineering Technology in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Applied Laboratory Science, Applied Science - Forensics, Applied Science/Laboratory Techniques, Applied Science - Pharmacy Studies, Forensics - Applied Science, Engineering Technology, Biotechnology, Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science, Biomedical Science/Laboratory Techniques at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lab Tech & Lab Analyst Apprenticeships at NFQ levels 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Biological and Chemical Sciences, Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry, Science (Bioscience/Chemistry), Science - Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate & Doctoral Study Options Engineering - Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering - Research, Engineering - Chemical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Chemical Sciences - Research, Biotechnology & Business, Clinical & Diagnostic Biochemistry at NFQ levels 9-10.  

Professional Development & Associations 

Smart Futures

SFI Science foundation Ireland

Last Updated: August, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €110k

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

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

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 occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

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

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 skills. Shortages of analytical, process and medical scientists are likely to continue.

• CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals

  • Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
  • (01) 293 3160
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Life Science Recruitment

  • 12 Fitzwilliam Square Dublin 2.
  • (01) 685 4848
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Institute of Biology of Ireland

  • School of Biology and Environmental Service,University College Dublin,Belfield,Dublin 4
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Academy of Clinical Science & Laboratory Medicine - ACSLM

  • 31 Old Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08V062
  • 01-9059730
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Academy of Medical Laboratory Science (ALMS)

  • 31 Old Kilmainham, Dublin 8
  • (0)1 9059730
  • Click Here

• Association of Clinical Biochemists in Ireland

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here