Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• 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.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• 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.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

The Work

Botanists study plants, including their reproduction and growth, distribution, and how pests and diseases affect them. They study plant life both in the laboratory and in their natural environment.  
 
Botanists often work in research and development for agricultural, forestry or environmental bodies. In agriculture, botanists may study how to stop pests damaging crops, perhaps through biological control (for example, introducing other species to eat the pests). Botanists may change plants' genes through genetic modification (GM) to increase crop yields, or to make crops more resistant to pests and diseases.  
 
Extinction threatens many plant species, so botany and plant ecology have become important aspects of conservation. In fieldwork, botanists may record the number and types of different species in one area or monitor the impact of pollution on a region's plant life.

Botanists can work in a variety of sub-fields, such as a dendrologist, applying the science of wooded plants or as an agronomist, where they will deal with crop production in agriculture.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
• Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
• Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
• Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
• Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
• Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
• Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
• Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
• Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
• Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.

Further Information

• Botanist - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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.

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.

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.

The main qualification route is with a degree in Botany, Relevant degree courses are offered at most of the major universities throughout the country.  Horticulture is the art or science of cultivating gardens, botany is the scientific study of plants and is a branch of biology, whose discipline involves the whole plant.

Training & Development

FET PLC Courses: Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Horticulture (Landscaping), Permaculture - Sustainable Horticulture, Sustainable Organic Horticulture at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lab Tech, Lab Analyst, Applied Horticulture NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Science, Science - Biological & Environmental Studies , Science - Common Entry, Sciences - Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Wildlife Biology NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Botany - Plant Science - Research, Botany - Structured, Chemistry - Research, Sciences - Natural Sciences - Research at NFQ level 9-10

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €38k - €80k

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

Data Source(s):
Eirieri/ Payscale / Salaryexpert

Last Updated: July, 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 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.

• National Botanic Gardens

  • Glasnevin, Dublin 9
  • (01) 804 0201
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Wind Energy Ireland

  • Sycamore House Millennium Park Osberstown Naas Co Kildare W91 D627
  • 045 899341
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here