Research Ireland (Taighde Eireann) Careers

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Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national foundation for investment in research in the areas of STEM, which assists in the development and competitiveness of industry, enterprise, and employment in Ireland. We also promote and support STEM education and engagement to improve awareness and understanding of the value of research to society and to support the STEM careers pipeline.

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Niamh Yates, Validation Engineer

Niamh Yates is a Validation Engineer with a Bsc Hons in Environmental Science and an Msc in Biotechnology.

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Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?

Knowing what I like and don’t like and what I am naturally good or not good at. Looking at new technologies and ensuring I am working with them.

Describe a typical day?

I am currently working on a project where I am determining the equipment that is required to make the medicine. When the equipment is made I then test it to ensure it is working correctly and the medicine it makes meets the requirements that will make it work and keep patients safe

What are the main tasks and responsibilities?

Design of equipment and processes, writing documents, testing, managing teams, managing action list and giving updates on progress.

What are the main challenges?

Dealing with difficult people, administration – necessary but very time consuming.

What is your education to date?

Bsc Hons in Environmental Science
Msc in Biotechnology

What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?

Masters in biotechnology but most of what I do in my job was learned on the job. I now work in engineering where a degree in chemical engineering would be more useful.

Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?

Yes, flexible working hours, managing my own work. I take ownership of my career and job choices.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

Know what you like and dislike, and what you are good at and not so good at so you study or do an apprenticeship in something that you will love so that work is a job as well as a hobby. Choose a more general degree eg science or engineering where you do a lot of subjects in first year then specialize. If you don’t get the course you want you can still do a similar one as the fundamentals are the same.

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Anything that involves science, maths and engineering. It would not be possible to get work experience in what I do in transition year but an overview of roles in a pharmaceutical company along with a tour would be useful.

What is your current job title?