Work Environment
Immunologists typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Immunologist- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- 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.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
The Work
Immunologists research and diagnose abnormal functions in the human immune system. This includes such processes as allergen testing and prognostic testing. It also includes autoantibody testing for rheumatoid arthritis for example.
They may also measure a patient's response to tissue grafts, organ transplants and vaccinations. They are also involved in the research into discovering new methods of diagnosis and treatment.
Their work involves liaising with other professionals. At a senior level they may be responsible for heading a team of biomedical scientists and other support staff.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Diagnose or treat allergic or immunologic conditions.
- Order or perform diagnostic tests such as skin pricks and intradermal, patch, or delayed hypersensitivity tests.
- Educate patients about diagnoses, prognoses, or treatments.
- Develop individualised treatment plans for patients, considering patient preferences, clinical data, or the risks and benefits of therapies.
- Prescribe medication such as antihistamines, antibiotics, and nasal, oral, topical, or inhaled glucocorticosteroids.
- Document patients' medical histories.
- Conduct physical examinations of patients.
- Assess the risks and benefits of therapies for allergic and immunologic disorders.
- Interpret diagnostic test results to make appropriate differential diagnoses.
- Provide therapies, such as allergen immunotherapy or immunoglobin therapy, to treat immune conditions.
Further Information
- Immunologist - from: Discover Science & Engineering
- Immunologist - from: Discover Science & Engineering
- Immunologist - from: Discover Science & Engineering
Qualities - Immunologist
As an immunologist you must be able to think logically.
You will need a thorough and methodical approach to your work. A very high degree of accuracy, attention to detail and an enquiring mind are essential.
You must be able to plan and use practical experiments. You need good communication skills for working in a team and must also be able to work independently. You must be able to present your work legibly and articulately.
You will need good up-to-date IT skills.
Interests - Immunologist
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.
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.
Entry - Immunologist
Entrants to this career are expected to hold a relevant honours degree in immunology or a biological science with a component in Immunology.
Trainng & Development
FET Centre Traineeship: Quality Management, Life Sciences Manufacturing Operations, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Laboratory Assistant 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, Biotechnology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses
Apprenticeship: Lab Tech & Lab Analyst Apprenticeships at NFQ levels 6-7 Search Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO Entry: Biotechnology, Microbiology, Science - Applied Biology & Biopharmaceutical Science, Sciences - Biological & Biomedical Sciences at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses
Postgraduate & Doctoral Study Options Immunotherapeutics, Biology - Research, Immunology & Global Health, Biochemistry & Immunology - Research, Immunology, Medicine - Research at NFQ levels 9-10.
Professional Development & Associations
SFI Science foundation Ireland
Irish Assoc of Clinical Scientists
Last Updated: April, 2023
Pay & Salary - Immunologist
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €38k - €106k
Salaries vary based on employer (state or private), location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ CPL/ Payscale/ 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
Labour Market Updates - Immunologist
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.
Useful Contacts - Immunologist
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Health Service Executive (HSE)
- Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
- 041 685 0300
- Click Here
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Human Health Institute
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
- Click Here
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Irish Society for Immunology
