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.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 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.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• 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.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

Medical Physicists research, develop and test specialist equipment used by medical staff in many areas including radiotherapy, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, laser technology and physiological monitoring.

Many medical physicists are heavily involved with responsibilities in areas of diagnosis and treatment, often with specific patients. These activities take the form of consultations with physician colleagues. Medical physicists play a vital and often leading role on the medical research team.

Their activities cover wide frontiers, including such key areas as cancer, heart disease, and mental illness. In cancer, work would focus primarily on issues involving radiation, such as the basic mechanisms of biological change after irradiation.

Medical physicists are also concerned with research of general medical significance, including the applications of digital computers in medicine and applications of information theory to diagnostic problems; processing, storing and retrieving medical images.

Often medical physicists have faculty appointments at universities and colleges, where they help train future medical physicists, resident physicians, medical students, and technologists who operate the various types of equipment used to perform diagnosis and treatment. They also conduct courses in medical physics and aspects of biophysics and radiobiology for a variety of graduate and undergraduate students.

Their education and training are different from doctors’, but they are heavily involved in assessing and treating illness, and doctors and other healthcare professionals rely on close collaboration with them.

Tasks and Activities

• Developing and testing new systems to help investigate patients' conditions, for example; Imaging techniques – to track how organs are functioning and to aid image-guided surgery Radiation and radio therapies – calculating dosages for beams and radioactive implants used in the treatment of cancers Electronics – designing instruments which take measurements or support damaged organs Laser technology – to reduce the need for invasive surgery, for example breaking up kidney stones or treating eye disorders.
• Monitoring equipment (like x-rays and ultrasound) to make sure it is accurate, safe and well-maintained
• Training hospital staff in the use of new equipment and complex procedures
• Planning treatment programmes and explaining procedures to patients • Carrying out certain procedures and analysing test results
• Research and Development work including using computer simulations and mathematical modelling in research and development work.

Knowledge Requirements

Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
• Analyse data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
• Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
• Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
• Write research proposals to receive funding.
• Teach physics to students.
• Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
• Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
• Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.
• Develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.

Further Information

• Medical Physicist - 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.

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.

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.

All new entrants to this field are graduates. Both an undergraduate degree and a postgraduate qualification are required. An undergraduate degree in physical sciences.

Degrees in Physics and/or medical physics are available from a range of universities and Tech Universities which will provide a good foundation to progress on further toward becoming a medical physicist.

Training & Development

FET PLC Courses: Applied Laboratory Science, Applied Science, Applied Science - Laboratory Techniques,  at NFQ Levels 5 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry: Physics (Applied), Physics & Instrumentation, Industrial and Environmental Physics, Physics (General Entry)Physics Technology, Physics with Data Analytics, Physics with Medical Physics and Bioengineering NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Employers may expect candidates to have a postgraduate qualification. Within the field of Physics there are various specialism you may look to pursue after graduating. Continuing professional development (CPD) is expected throughout your career.

For many positions, including within the HSE, an MSc in Medical Physics is expected.

A background in the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) is necessary for work in this area.

Postgraduate Study Options Physics, Physics - Applied Physics, Experimental Physics - Research, Medical Physics, Physiscs - Computational Physics NFQ level 9

A postgraduate qualification in medical physics, bioengineering or health informatics.A Ph.D. involving intensive research in the area of medical physics may be necessary to reach a high level position in this field. Relevant course are offered at the universities countrywide.

Inst Of Physics

Irish Association of Physicists in Medicine

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €31k - €107k

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

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

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.

• Irish Association of Physicists in Medicine

  • 4 WATERLOO ROAD, DUBLIN, IRELAND
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Institute of Physics in Ireland

  • c/o School of Physics, University College Dublin
  • +44 (0) 20 7470 4845
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Smart Futures

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