Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

Toxicologists study the harm chemicals may cause to people, animals and plants. They find ways to avoid or reduce chemical damage to the environment.  
 
Toxicology covers two main areas. One deals with the effects that toxic materials have on humans, and the other with their impact on the environment.  
 
Toxicologists experiment on tissue and cell cultures, animals and human volunteers, to find out if a chemical product is harmful. In pharmaceutical companies, toxicologists help develop new drugs to fight disease. They find out how strong the drug is, and if there are unwanted or dangerous side effects. In the food industry, they may test an additive to make sure it does not cause cancer.  
 
Occupational and industrial toxicologists make sure working conditions are safe and give advice to people who handle chemicals.  
 
Other toxicologists work in hospitals, treating patients who have drug poisoning. They find out the type and amount of drug taken in an overdose.  
 
Toxicologists might look at air pollution caused by the burning of waste, or research the problems some pesticides cause for wildlife.  
 
One area of investigation is the effect chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have on the Earth's stratospheric osone layer.  
 
Some toxicologists specialise in ecology. They may trace the movement of pollutants through food chains, or investigate resistance to pesticides in certain insects. They isolate, identify and quantify toxic substances. They also carry out lab and field experiments and advise on the safe handling of toxic substances.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
• Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
• Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
• Prepare and analyse organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
• Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analysing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
• Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
• Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
• Write applications for research grants.
• Standardise drug dosages, methods of immunisation, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
• Study animal and human health and physiological processes.

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.

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.

Toxicologists are usually graduates. At undergraduate level, Toxicology is normally combined with subjects like biochemistry and pharmacology. Specialist courses are also available. If you want to specialise in environmental toxicology, it may be a good idea to do a pollution studies course. Specialist courses are also available in waste management and pesticide science.  

Training & Development   

FET Centre Traineeship: Laboratory Assistant, General Management at NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Applied science, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Operations, Applied Laboratory Science, Applied Science/Laboratory Techniques, Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science, Biotechnology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lab Technician & Lab Analyst Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Biological and Chemical Sciences, Science - (Chemistry & Chemical Sciences), Pharmacology, Animal Bioscience, Applied Biology, Nutrition & Health Science NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Toxicology, Management, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology & Therapeutics - Structured NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €65k

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

Data Source(s):
Brightwater/ CPL/ 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).

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.

• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • Click Here

• Science Foundation Ireland

  • Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • 01 - 607 3200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here