1

0ur story• 8 of the top 10 Pharmaceutical companies are located in

Ireland.• 12 out of the top 25 selling drugs are produced in

Ireland• Exported €50.8 billion in 2010, accounting for over 50%

of the total Irish exports• Contributing over €1 billion in corporation tax annually• Over 24,500 in employment• Over half of the employees are third level

graduates

Who works in pharmaceuticals?The industry in the Ireland employs around 25,000 people, of which over 50% are highly-trained graduates.

Pharmaceutical companies employ people with a range of skills, qualifications and experience. In addition, the industry generates a further 24,500 jobs in related industries. The industry can be divided into four main areas.

•Research and Development•Manufacturing•Commercial

•Support FunctionS

Research and Development (R&D)

Research and Development (R&D) involves the initial stage of discovery right through to manufacturing to have product ready for the market. People working in this area would include biologists and chemists, with degree and postgraduate qualifications in chemistry, biological sciences, maths or IT. Some of the areas where graduates are employed include:

Research and Development (R&D)

• Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics• Regulatory affairs• Analytical chemistry• Microbiology• Statistics• Process chemistry• Genetics• Medicinal chemistry

ManufacturingManufacturing involves producing the products to meet market demand in a cost effective and quality driven environment while meeting the highest standards in safety and regulator compliance. This area not only relies on scientists but also on engineers across a variety of disciples include:

• Chemical engineers• Production engineers • Plant engineers• Maintenance engineers• Validation engineers• IT and other specialist

Commercial

Commercial involves the promotion and selling of the new medicines that the companies produce. People working in this area have a science qualification along with business qualification and relevant experience. Scientific jobs available here include:

• Marketing managers • Medical sales representatives

Support Functions

• Support Functions involves the more general support roles that are essential in any large organisation, such as

• Human resources• Training & development• IT• Finance• Legal experts

A Day in the Life

A day in the Life of an Analyst!

• Setting-up & calibrating equipment• Preparing samples for analysis• Conducting scientific tests & experiments• Compiling data & writing experimental reports• Analysing & interpreting data• Troubleshooting & solving problems • Validating & writing standard operating procedures • Attending laboratory meetings & training sessions

A day in the Life of a Supervisor!

• Preparing work schedules• Briefing teams• Monitoring subordinates work-flows• Coaching, guiding & monitoring subordinates work

output• Managing team performance• Attending and contributing to meetings• Reviewing and writing reports

A day in the Life of a Scientific Researcher!

• Reading & reviewing scientific literature• Designing experiments• Conducting experiments• Validating scientific hypothesis• Validating experimental results• Compiling data & writing experimental reports• Analysing & interpreting data• Attending meetings• Writing research papers & presenting at conferences

12

Representative Salary Scales (2011)

Scientific Role Experience Average Salary

Microbiology Analyst 2 years €25,000 – €35,000

Microbiology Analyst > 3 years €35,000 – €46,000

Analytical Chemist 2 years €30,000 – €44,000

Analytical Chemist > 3 years €42,000 – €55,000

QA/QC Analyst > 3 years €33,000 - €46,000

Process Chemist 2 years €30000 – €45,000

Process Chemist > 3 years €45,000 – €58,000

13

Representative Salary Scales (2011)Scientific Role Average Salary

Health & Safety Officer €25,000 – €38,000

Environmental Officer €25,000 – €38,000

Quality Manager €55,000 – €75,000

Director of Quality €90,000 – €120,000

14

Careers in Science

For further information available on career options, job descriptions & advice in the pharmaceutical industrial sector, log onto the following websites:

1. www.pharmachemicalireland.ie2. www.careerportal.ie3. www.mysciencecareer.ie4. www.science.ie5. www.gradireland.com6. www.lifescience.ie

15