What were the main “career decision” milestones in your life so far?

I think the best thing I did for my career was to take time out after school before I went to university. I always knew what I wanted to do but after the Leaving Cert I wanted a break from education.

I worked and I travelled and it was while I was working in an Irish bar in a small town in New Zealand that I knew it was time to go to university. I still had the travel bug so I went to university in Aberdeen, Scotland.

I’ve always done a lot of voluntary work and it has been invaluable in allowing me to explore different careers that I have been interested in. I first started volunteering in Environmental Education after I finished school. If you like working with kids it’s a great area to get into.

While I was in university I volunteered in the Natural History Museum where I designed exhibitions, gave public tours and got to do a lot of behind the scenes work like preservation and cataloguing.

I’m currently volunteering with Dublin Zoo doing tours for school groups and public outreach and education. I’ve always loved Dublin Zoo and volunteering is a great way to get involved in the areas you’re interested in.

 Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?

My mum was the one who got me into science – I still remember the day she taught me what DNA stands for. As a kid I was the one in class who knew big science words and weird obscure animals and it wasn’t until I went to university that I met people with the same interests as me.

My honours adviser in university has been the biggest influence on my science career as he first introduced me to morphometrics (the study of measurements) and he always gives me great advice on my work and future career.

I’m very lucky that I have some great science friends and a boyfriend who also love science – we embrace our inner nerds. The organisations I’ve volunteered with have been a great help as well because I’ve experienced different areas of work and it’s helped me figure out what kind of career I want.

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

My career goal is to be a lecturer and researcher so I’ll be spending a good few years in university as a student – thankfully my family is really supportive (emotionally and financially). Studying science can take a bit of a toll on your social life because lab work and reading can be very time consuming.

As a postgrad I know I’ll be spending lots of long hours in a lab over the next few years but my family, friends and boyfriend all know it’s because I’m doing something I love. The thought of being a student until I’m 30 is a bit daunting and I worry about money and being able to have a “grown-up life” like my friends who work full-time do.

Volunteering obviously takes up some time from your days off but you can be more flexible as a volunteer than as an employee. Also you can vary your work more and try lots of new things. My family and friends love that I volunteer at Dublin Zoo. They love going to the zoo for the day and having their own private tour guide.

 Describe a typical day

As a postgrad you spend most of your time reading – lots and lots of reading. Essays, lab reports and lectures take up the rest of it. It’s tiring but the reason you’re doing a postgrad is to learn and become a better scientist, so it’s hard work now but it will pay off later when you’re a fully qualified researcher and studying the things you really love.

When volunteering however, things are more flexible. In the zoo I might be giving a tour or looking after the Discovery Centre. In the Natural History Museum there was always a hundred things that needed to be done so there were no two days that were ever the same – sometimes you would be putting records on a spread sheet, others days you’re climbing into the back of a cupboard to find a stuffed duck.

What’s cool?

Student discounts and being around people who have the same interests as you. Personally, I love the challenge of studying and research and I get really bored without it. Getting to play with cool science toys is great – everything is more interesting under a microscope! The best part for me is when I discover something new.

The coolest thing about volunteering is that you get to have some really interesting experiences. Going behind the scenes at a museum and being able to see all the interesting and weird things in storage is fascinating. Obviously the coolest thing about volunteering at the zoo is that I get to go to the zoo all the time.

 What’s not so cool?

Being poor. Postgraduate students have more work and less free time than undergrad students so working can be difficult. Apply for all the grants and bursaries you can. Also it can be very tiring trying to focus for hours at a time. The only negative thing about volunteering is that you can miss out on some fun stuff because you maybe weren’t available on a particular day. Also that you can put lots of time and effort into it and you don’t get paid.

What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?

I did higher level biology and geography and ordinary level maths for my Leaving Cert. I loved biology and geography so I found them easy but I wasn’t great with maths. Geography isn’t considered a science in some universities which I think is unfair.

When I was choosing my classes for Leaving Cert my school tried to push me to do chemistry instead of geography but I wasn’t confident with chemistry so I stood my ground. You do need a certain amount of chemistry for biology and in first year of uni we had to do chemistry.

I managed to get through it and I haven’t found my lack of chemistry ability to be a problem studying biology. If I knew then what I know now I would have worked harder on my maths and paid more attention when we were learning how to use Excel. In science you’ll use Excel all the time and, although I haven’t really suffered from having average maths skills, I would like to be more confident working with numbers.

What is your university education to date?

I have a BSc hons in Zoology and I’m currently doing a Masters in Evolutionary Biology with UCD. After my Masters I’m hoping to go straight into my PhD.

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

As you go through university you’ll have lots of opportunities to steer your education towards the area you’re interested in. In first and second year classes are more general, in third and fourth year you get to specialise more. I always tried to focus my classes towards physiology and genetics because evolution and osteology are my main areas of interest.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

For my honours project I was doing a morphometric study of mouse mandibles. I had 11 measurements to take on each mandible, and a few hundred mandibles to measure. I spent 12 and 14 hour days in my lab measuring taking measurements and then hours filling in Excel spreadsheets with data. But the moment I saw my graphs and realised that I had found something significant I knew it had all been worth it.

What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?

Stubbornness! However long it takes me, I’ll get it done.

What is your dream job?

To be a lecturer. I love knowledge and sharing my interests with people. Morphometrics is the study of the measurements, and I want to spend my life in a dusty old museum measuring bones. An animal’s life history is written in its bones – did they have enough food, how fast did they grow? I want to be able to look at a skeleton and tell you everything about that individual’s life and evolution.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

Don’t panic and don’t rush. Think about what you want to gain ultimately and work towards that. If what you want changes don’t panic and possibly make a bad decision. Talk to the people who have done this before you – your adviser, your lecturers, people already in the job – and let them help you make the best moves for you.

When you’re doing your work, don’t rush. Rushing causes mistakes and wastes time. If you want a career in science you’ll also have to accept that you’re in it for the long run, but if it’s the right career for you then it’ll be worth it.

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

Passion, curiosity and the ability to fail and start again. For every ‘rule’ there is in biology, there is an exception to that rule. When you work with living things, that have their own interests and agendas, you will be amazed at how often you’re perfect plans and theories get thrown out the window.

Be able to laugh it off when the mouse curls up and falls asleep instead of going through the maze – and have a plan B.

Teresa Martin, marine biologist and researcher

What were the main “career decision” milestones in your life so far?

My only natural ability is to swim – which has now transpired into any sports related to water, i.e. surfing, scuba diving, sailing, etc. I belong to the Galway Sub-Aqua Club where I have achieved the status of Club Diver over the past few years. While abroad in Florida earlier this year I became a PADI Dive Master.

Having these scuba skills has furthered my employment aspects for freshwater and marine biology. I have already been able to use these skills and certifications to teach others about the underwater world and why it is important to protect it for generations to come.

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

Yes it does. One does not go into freshwater and marine biology for the money but for the passion of giving back and protecting nature. As part of my job, I get paid to do underwater research whether it be specimen collections or underwater photography and what better reason to do my favorite sport – scuba diving!

However, this field does require long durations at sea in which you may only get a week’s notice. But, the sea is what I love and the bigger the waves the happier I am (but then again I might be a bit mad in the head there too…)

How did you go about getting your current job?

I went to Scotland for the training in Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) after my 2nd year in GMIT. This training and experience with the Irish Whale and Dolphin group helped me achieve an internship position at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, USA for a seven-month period. This opportunity was accepted as the mandatory work placement module for 3rd year at GMIT.

While at Mote I worked with the Manatee, Sea Turtle and Dolphin Research Departments, the Animal Care Hospital, Strandings Response Team, Public Education, and Summer Scuba Camp Programs. Upon returning to Ireland I took a part-time position as an aquarist at the Galway Atlantaquaria in Salthill, where I had previously worked as a volunteer last winter.

Describe a typical day

As an MMO most of your time is spent looking through a pair of binoculars or spotting scope either at sea or on headlines around the coast. These tasks are undertaken for various organizations mostly on a monthly basis and are usually assigned with limited notice, i.e. 24-72hrs. Passive Acoustic Monitoring is a more defined skill where a great deal of experience is needed for employment and I am still learning every day.

As a marine biology researcher most of your time is spent in front of a computer however, at least once a week field work is performed either by boat or land. This is when your skills are really tested, photo-identification is performed, and genetic samples are taken. These field days are quite long and exhausting but make the whole career worth it.

What are the main tasks and responsibilities?

As an MMO, my main duties are conducting at sea observations of marine mammals encountered within a 200m radius of the ship. This requires correct identification via binoculars or spotting scope, time, distance, type of behaviour, and numbers when possible.

As a manatee biologist I conduct aerial, land and boat based observations using photo-identification and genetic sampling methods. At the aquarium I assist other aquarists in the daily tasks of temperature and water pump checks, feeding tours, birthday parties, cleaning, quarantine and maintenance of all tanks throughout the day.

What are the main challenges?

Science is an ever-changing field with regard to new methods, techniques, and technology – therefore, it requires scientists to be on their toes and up to speed with the most current issues. On the other hand, you could be working on a technique that has never been performed before in your area or even country and that can be a challenge as it requires further research and assistance from others in that field.

What’s cool?

I get to paid to scuba dive, be at sea taking pictures of manatees, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and I get to tag sharks. When on shore I get to provide tours to people of all ages around the aquarium and show them what is living just on the other side of the prom in Salthill. 

What’s not so cool?

At sea living quarters are minimal – i.e. you share a small room of bunk beds with many other scientists or crew members. In rough seas it is even necessary to seat belt yourself into the bed so that you don’t fall out. In these situations someone is likely to get sick and then you have to concentrate on not doing the same. 

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?

At the Atlantaquaria – I bring my marine mammal and scuba skills which are used for public presentations and cleaning the larger tanks. Most importantly I love going to work as it’s what I am most interested in and you never know what new question or experience the public will have that day when you are giving them a brief insight to the underwater world.

What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?

In secondary school I took as many science classes as possible – including biology, cell biology, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, genetics, etc. I am not the best at physics or chemistry but knew it would be needed as core subjects for choosing a career in the sciences. All of these subjects plus maths gave be a great background for college where some of the core science subjects were repeated in 1st year.

What is your education to date?

Rocky Mountain High School in Colorado, USA; Honours Degree in Freshwater and Marine Biology at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland. Marine Mammal Observer, Passive Acoustic Monitoring, PAMGUARD (acoustic software program) and Protected Species Observer for the Gulf of Mexico  all completed in Scotland. Personal Safety Sea Survival course and Power Boating Licence 1 and 2 through BowWaves.

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

The external certification courses completed in Scotland have given me a competitive edge over other graduates in finding sub-contract work off-shore here in Ireland.

Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?

I plan on completing the BOSIET course in Aberdeen, Scotland within the next year – this course along with the ENG11 medical certification will entitle me to work 200m+ offshore from any country.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

Working at Atlantaquaria in Galway, obtaining a work placement at Mote Marine Laboratory, and obtaining the status of Beach Patrol Officer for the Sea Turtle Research Department at Mote during Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtle Nesting Season 2011.

What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?

I have always been outgoing, a bit fearless, and a leader. I am told that I am an honest and hard-working individual within the work place and that I will complete any task given to me even after-hours. It’s taken me a while to know what are I wanted to work in but now that I have found it, I will let nothing stand in the way of my dreams.

What is your dream job?

I would like to work at sea for 2-3 years either on a fishing or research vessel. I would love to go on an Antarctic Expedition and work with the Great White Sharks in South Africa. Overall, if I can make some money doing what I love then that’s all that matters.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

You need to have a deep appreciation and love for water. If you don’t like getting or being wet – this job is not for you! You also need a tough stomach as this job entails a lot of dissections and necropsies.

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

Any lifeguard, boating, fishing, or volunteer position working with people of any age would be beneficial. As a biologist you need to be able to get on with people, follow directions, and take criticism. Most aquariums and marine stations take work experience candidates who are still in secondary school and applying for these would provide the best ‘taster” for a freshwater or marine biology job.

Luke O’Neill’s favourite subject at school while studying for the leaving cert was biology. He is now Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry, Trinity College Dublin.

His work involves lecturing in various subjects – such as Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Immunology and Molecular Medicine to both science and medical students. It also involves leading a research team of 12 individuals in the areas of immunology and inflammatory diseases, including 6 post-docs, 4 Ph.D. students and two technicians.

He has written many scientific papers and his work has been published in Nature, the world’s leading science journal. In 1995, among various other awards and achievements, he received the Royal Irish Academy Medal for Biochemistry, and in 1999 was runner-up for the Boyle Medal, presented by the Royal Dublin Society.

How it all began

As with many people who pursue a career in science, Luke recalls having an interest in the natural world, in particular geology and biology, from an early age:

“I liked the exactness of science and also the wonders to be found in biology.”

He didn’t particularly enjoy biology in the early part of secondary school, but loved it by the time he completed the leaving cert. The way a subject is taught is often instrumental in how popular it is with students, and this proved true for Luke as he credits his biology teacher as having a part to play in his love for biology.

The second science subject he completed for leaving cert was chemistry, paving the way for future plans to study science after school.

Career path to becoming a researcher

Luke’s next step was to go to Trinity College Dublin, where he now lectures. For four years he studied for a BA (Mod) in Natural Sciences. Studying for a degree in Natural Science at TCD involves studying a combination of subjects from biology, chemistry, physics, geology, geography and maths, in the first and second year, and then specialising in one particular area, such as Genetics, Environmental Science, Physiology or Biochemistry, for example. Luke preferred to specialise in Biochemistry in third and fourth year. As part of this degree, he would have had to complete a research project in his final year, giving the student experience in the laboratory and a chance to make a contribution to an area of research.

Luke graduated with First Class honours in 1985 from Trinity College and had already decided that research was the area for him:

“The idea of discovering and seeing something no-one had seen before, and contributing to knowledge in the world really stimulated me.”

He decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the University of London (Royal College of Surgeons) in 1988. He then followed what he terms ” the standard career path” – post-doctoral research, which meant a move to the University of Cambridge, and then a lectureship in Biochemistry at Trinity. The decision to lecture came naturally:

” I wanted to lecture as I feel it’s very important to pass on your enthusiasms and knowledge to the next generation.”

Outstanding Contribution to Biomedical Research

The awards and recognition Luke has so far received speak for themselves in terms of how successful he has been in his career to date – among those mentioned before in 1996 he received the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland Conway Medal for Biomedical Research and a year later was presented with an Outstanding Achievement award by the International Cytokine Society.

But more importantly than awards, his research has made many important discoveries and contributions in its respective areas. His Ph.D. project made a discovery that led to a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs – the COX-2 selective inhibitors. His research has made important discoveries into the inner workings of cells of the immune system, responsible for helping our bodies to fight disease. Through his work, he has also discovered new proteins and processes, which have a part to play in diseases such as arthritis and sepsis.

In particular in the last couple of years, his research group have made two key discoveries. The first is they have found that pox viruses (such as small pox itself) have ways of disabling our immune system and therefore not allowing it to do its job properly. They have also found a new human protein in white blood cells that acts as a master switch, turning on the immune response to harmful bacteria in the body. This protein is called Mal. Both of the discoveries could lead to better treatment for certain inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

A rewarding career choice

Luke considers his choice of career a particularly rewarding one and outlines three main aspects of the job that are most enjoyable: the first is the rewards from the research itself – “The process of discovering new things that may lead to better treatments for various immune and inflammatory diseases.”

He also enjoys learning about progress in his own research areas through the work of other laboratories and research groups, as well as the teaching element, part of his job as a lecturer at TCD.

Apart from rewards, there are also certain advantages, such as getting to travel and being able to work in almost any location:

“Travel is a major bonus – I have given seminars all over the world and spent time in labs in the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Having a Ph.D. means you can get a job anywhere and there is constant travel to conferences.”

Luke also highlights that as a biomedical research scientist he is his own boss and can work to his own schedule, which he certainly finds an advantage.

A look to the future

Looking to the future of biomedical research, in his opinion, the rate of progress and advancements in this area is “astounding”, eventually leading to new and better treatments for human diseases such as cancer, arthritis, MS, Crohn’s disease and AIDS.

Looking at Luke’s personal future in biomedical research, he seems focused on one goal and that is to make further breakthroughs in his own research area.

His advice for students wishing to pursue a similar career path is simple:

“If you like Biology, sign up!”

Education

Imelda Egan - Air pollution scientist

• BA (Mod) Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin (1993)
• Masters in Biological Sciences, Dublin City University (1996)
• Diploma in Environmental Engineering, Trinity College (1999)

Career snapshot

Imelda Egan develops techniques to deal with air pollution. She works for Bord na Mona, an organisation once best known for turf briquettes. Over the past decade, however, Bord na Mona has also built up a range of environmental services, many based on technologies that it has invented and developed commercially.
Imelda is centrally involved in this. Over the last five years, she has been named as co-inventor of two patented air treatment processes. The team she works in, Clean Air Solutions, was shortlisted for the All-Ireland Innovation Awards 2002 and received a commendation.

Bord na Mona exports its services to Britain, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, as well as working in Ireland. So Imelda’s job involves a lot of travel, although some of it is to such glamorous locations as wastewater treatment or animal rendering plants.
There are two sides to her work: developing new solutions and supporting them in use. This involves:

• Working on new processes to deal with air pollution
• Going on-site to examine air emissions and odorous processes
• Devising solutions through pilot trials
• Putting biological air treatment systems in place
• Supporting the systems in use

It is a demanding and satisfying job, making the world a cleaner and less-smelly place.

What’s the best thing about your job?

“I like the variety of my job, in that I could be on site in France one week and the next be in the office designing a full abatement system for an odour or emission application. The team members in Clean Air Solutions work together. If something comes up, everyone pulls together to get it solved as quickly as possible.”

What do you like least about your job?

“There are times, particularly in winter, when the last thing you want to do is to go outside to a cold site!”

How do you spend a typical day?

“I could be up early and on the road to a site to undertake monitoring. If we have a pilot trial going, we could be visiting that. Or I could be in the office. I spend a lot of time on the phone discussing potential solutions, or arranging someone to monitor a site.”

Are you a science nerd?

“I don’t think so. I like all aspects of my job, including the commercial aspects. My qualifications in science allow me to do a job which is varied and interesting, but I leave it at the gate when I go home.”

Did science give you a buzz at school?

“I did chemistry and physics at school, but wasn’t that good at either really. It wasn’t until I went to college that some of my courses really woke me up to the unbelievable possibilities that science offers in every area of life.”

Want to find out more?

Learn about the wide range of Bord na Mona’s business activities

Find out more about environmental engineering at TCD

(Photo of Imelda Egan used with the kind permission of Bord na Mona)

Emer Clarke - Cell Biologist

Education

Primary degree, Biochemistry, Trinity College Dublin
PhD (Haematology) in cell biology, Trinity

Career snapshot

Dublin-born, her first job was in a laboratory in St. James Hospital in Dublin. She examined how anti-rejection drugs would impact on patients who had undergone bone marrow transplantations. Following her PhD, she moved to Seattle and worked in bone marrow research first at a teaching hospital, then at a biotechnology company.
Next Emer moved to Bristol to the UK’s National Blood Service as a clinical scientist on a bone marrow treatment programme. Her work involved identifying how patients’ bone marrow could be adapted to increase the chances of successful transplants. She took up her current role in 1998.

What’s so brilliant about your job?

“I love the diversity. I enjoy going into the laboratory and doing experiments and finding out what’s new. There’s also the knowledge that the work I do benefits patients. It helps the discovery of new drugs and involves training people in laboratories to treat illnesses.”

How do you spend a typical day?

“I get in at around 7.45, and start the day trying to do some damage control on my emails. I get around 40 emails a day – queries from technical staff, customers. I like to spend four or five hours in the laboratory – I’m a real lab rat. Then I have to report on the experiments, quantitate cells and identify alterations in cell morphology through photographs of colonies.”
“About 20% of my time is spent travelling. It’s anything but glamorous and is quite tiring.”

Are you a science bore?

“No. My husband works in the same company but we don’t talk about work all the time. Our friends are varied -accountants, artists but not geeks. The only time we ever talk about science at home is when there’s a discussion about what’s new or novel on the TV.”

Did science give you a buzz at school?

“Not really. I wasn’t really interested in science. I didn’t even study biology at school. I wanted to pick something in college that would mean that I would be gainfully employed. Back in the 80s there weren’t many jobs.”
“I chose biochemistry at Trinity because I thought it would help me get into pharmacy, where there were jobs, but that didn’t happen. It was only when I went to St. James’ that my love of science began. I could then see how interesting and useful the work is.”

What’s been the high point of your career?

“I’m still waiting!”

Want to find out more?

Read about Emer’s employer Stemcell

Ian Brennan - Quality control biochemist

Degree

Applied Biology with Quality Management, Waterford Institute of Technology, 2000

Career snapshot

Ian’s first job after graduation in 2000 was with Trinity Biotech, in Bray, Co Wicklow. There, he was involved in testing products using mammalian antibodies. Subsequently, he worked with Aventis Pharma in Waterford, overseeing the plant’s microbiology laboratory. He stayed there for two years, before joining Genzyme in November 2003.

Genzyme Waterford is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology plant. It manufactures and packages tablets for patients with renal disease. A sterile filling facility is also nearing the completion of qualification. The plant will produce sterile enzyme preparations in both liquid and lyophilized (vacuum frozen) forms.

Initially employed as a microbiologist, his current role involves the transfer of the biochemical testing methods needed for the products that will be filled in the sterile facility. This involves validation of new equipment, and testing and troubleshooting the testing methods.

“The degree that I chose provided the broadest possible base in terms of areas of knowledge,” says Ian. “It has allowed me to work in several different areas and accumulate a range of experience.”

Background info

Brought up in Tramore, Co Waterford, Ian attended CBS Tramore

What’s so brilliant about your job?

“I enjoy my job because it is quite varied. Since joining the company I’ve been involved in both the tabletting and sterile facilities. In my current role, what I do changes from day to day, and it has also afforded me the opportunity for some foreign travel.”

What do you like least about your job?

“Paperwork is a pet hate, but it is part and parcel of the industry.”

How do you spend a typical day?

“The day begins at 8am. I organise my time depending on the method being tested at that time. Some methods might take hours to run, others are much shorter. The time I have then is dependent on any problems that might be encountered with the methods. Other days are spent at my desk collating data or writing reports. I may also spend some time with vendors or agents validating a piece of equipment.”

Does your work require a lot of equipment?

“Yes, all the typical equipment found in a pharmaceutical lab.”

Are you a science/engineering/technology nerd?

“I take an interest in most scientific disciplines, but for the most part, I try to do other things outside of work.”

Did science/engineering/technology give you a buzz at school?

“I always enjoyed the science subjects in school. I had a very enthusiastic biology teacher but I was always curious about the natural world. I also enjoyed English and history. I chose a career in science because of this curiosity about how the world works.”

Learn more:

Visit Genzyme Ireland on the Web
Learn more about the pharmaceutical industry at PharmaChemical Ireland

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of living organisms, from the simplest to the most complex, and it seeks to explain how they work at the molecular level. Biochemists study the elements, compounds and chemical reactions that are controlled by enzymes and take place in these organisms.

What do they do?

Biochemistry is often defined as the ‘chemistry of life’ because it aims to explore and understand every aspect of the structure Biochemistry is very much a research-based subject and organisms. Such research is essential to medicine. The involvement  of the biochemist in the development of new diagnostic procedures and drugs for the treatment of diseases if of central importance to the pharmaceutical industry.

Biochemistry is also fundamental to biotechnology and developed. Biochemistry is the key player in modern biomedical research as biochemists contribute to the design of new drugs diabetes and cancer. Developments in this rapidly-growing area molecular biology, genetic engineering and environmental monitoring. This is an exciting and rapidly expanding field which is at the forefront of advances in biology and medicine.

Career opportunities

The massive increase in knowledge and the genomics, proteomics and computing revolutions, mean that biochemistry will be a decisive factor in the 21st century. The fundamental new findings in this area of science will have a far-reaching impact on health care, the control of environmental hazards and on life as a whole and offers much potential for the creation and preservation of new, challenging jobs.

Biochemists work in industry, hospitals, agriculture, research institutes and education. There are good career opportunities in industry sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, brewing, biotechnology and agrochemicals, where biochemical knowledge is needed to develop new products and monitor the production, quality and safety of existing ones.

Biochemistry is a truly interdisciplinary subject having close links with chemistry, the other biological sciences, agriculture and medicine. It is because of this that graduates in biochemistry enjoy a wide range of career opportunities.

Did you know?

Revolutionary treatments

Advances in medicine have resulted in treatments unimaginable just 50 years ago. The pace of change in science and medicine in the next 20 years means that medical intervention will seem increasingly futuristic. We still do not know the structures and biological roles of over 70% of the compounds found in human blood plasma! Scientists speculate that recent developments in genetic science may revolutionise the way we diagnose and treat illnesses.

Fighting bad bugs

Most infections still respond to the so called ‘first line’ antibiotics such as ampicillin. Of those that don’t, most are still killed with more powerful antibiotics; the strongest and most potent is called some bacteria have evolved to outwit even vancomycin and have been found in a number of hospitals. Scientists are now researching new antibiotics, but this takes time. Eventually , as stronger ones are developed, bacteria will develop resistance to those.

Deep breathing

Marine mammals like seals and whales also breathe oxygen like us. However, their red blood cells don’t have hemoglobin, but a very similar protein called myoglobin. Actually hemoglobin is essentially four muoglobin protens stuck together, Myoglobin also binds oxygen, but much more strongly than hemoglobin. Why is this important? Well, sea mammals dive to great depths, and they need to make sure that when they come up for air that they have a protein that really grabs onto oxygen. They have a lot of this protein and a lot of red blood cells that slowly release it to their tissues allowing them to stay underwater for a long time!

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Anne-Marie Glynn - Molecular biology

What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?

At secondary school I didn’t really have a favourite subject, so I opted to study biotechnology at NUI Galway, as it included business and French in addition to a diverse range of scientific topics.

(Considering that I came to Germany to do my PhD, perhaps it would have been wiser if I selected to study German rather than French at university!)

After my degree I was offered a job in a hospital lab checking patient samples to check if they had cancer or other diseases. However, I realised that I preferred learning in-depth about a topic, so that I and others could really understand what was going on.

During my degree I spent a summer at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and loved the international atmosphere, so I decided to return there to study for a PhD.

Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?

My parents have always been fully supportive of whatever I chose to do. They taught me to believe in my abilities.

However, it was my Leaving Cert biology teacher, Mr Keane, who really encouraged me into science. Throughout university I also got lots of support and guidance from lecturers.

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

Working in science is excellent if you enjoy travelling. Think back to how different people can be if you go abroad on holidays. Now imagine working with people from different cultures, with different hobbies and languages, and them becoming your friends.

In general you can have the opportunity to travel all over the world to explain your work to other scientists. Besides the international atmosphere, I am extremely fortunate to work in an institute where famous scientific speakers come every week to share their ideas.

The working hours are very flexible. Although we have busy days, scientists also know how to have fun. I’m lucky to have good friends to hang out with, whether by the riverside, going for a cycle or watching a film.

Describe a typical day

Every day is different. Generally I need to book the equipment that I want to use in advance so it is important to be organised. I am flexible and never plan too strictly as one thing you can be sure of in science is that things often don’t go exactly according to plan.

I spend about half my time doing computer work and the other half experimental. Once we have results then you try to publish them to let others know what you did – either by preparing a poster, giving a seminar or writing an article for a journal.

What are your main tasks and responsibilities?

I’m working in an area called cryo-electron tomography of vitreous sections – I guess most people won’t have heard of that before.

It’s basically photography in three dimensions – not like a movie but a photograph that you can enter into to explore not just the areas at the front but also deep into the image. You can twist them around and view it from different sides to see things that have never been seen before. Really small things can be seen in this way with 50 000 times magnification.

In addition to my scientific work, I’m involved in a lot of extra activities – organising scientific retreats and conferences and promoting the interests of PhD students within the organisation.

What are the main challenges?

Science is changing rapidly with new ideas and concepts being proposed all the time. Sometimes it is hard to stay on top of it all. However, I’m fortunate that we have world-famous scientists giving us ‘previews’ of their work on a weekly basis and the chance to discuss it afterwards.

What’s cool?

Did I mention that I work with diamonds? Our samples need to be cut into very small pieces and the only substance strong enough to do this is diamond. It’s very sharp, so it’s a little different to the diamond in a ring.

Following this, I use a microscope and a computer to study the sample in 3D and I paint different areas to make it easier for other people to understand the images and their biological context.

What is your education to date?

Leaving Certificate Vocational at Ballinode College, Sligo which gave me a chance to set up a mini-company in addition to the regular Leaving Cert subjects
BSc Biotechnology at NUI Galway (included scientific subjects, a modern language and business)
PhD awarded jointly by the University of Dundee, Scotland and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?

For me, science constantly evolves. The precise details of the courses are not essential but instead it is important to learn how to critically assess information while maintaining an open mind and learn where to find the answers that you need. Naturally, you must understand the basics about the area you’re interested in but you can never say “That’s it – I’m not going to learn anything else new!”

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

Getting an award from Dr Garret Fitzgerald due to my final year exam results was a highlight, particularly for my parents. During my PhD I helped develop a new technique that enables us to study scientific problems in a new way. Let’s see what the future holds.

What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?

I’m flexible, organised and able to communicate both to other scientists and those working in other fields. I’m also willing to try new ideas and have a calm disposition and immense patience.

What is your dream job?

I would love to lecture to share my enthusiasm for science with students. Ideally I think that science should be understood more by the general public and I would enjoy communicating all the breakthroughs in science.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

You need to be inquisitive and to question things – not just believe everything that you are told without really considering all aspects related to it. Patience and perseverance would help, as does a lucky streak. It’s important to believe in yourself and your abilities as occasionally it can be a lonely road.

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

A short placement in any laboratory environment would give a taster, or even to ask someone if you can follow them around for a few days. Although sometimes the equipment looks complicated to begin with – it’s rather simple once you’re familiar with it.

Dr Sarah Varien - Marine environment consultant

What were the main “career decision” milestones in your life so far?

For me, making the decision to do a course or a degree was the easy part. The difficult decisions were made afterwards once I entered the workplace and I moved around a lot before I found an environment that suited me.

Apart from my interest in the subject of biology, one of the main motivations for me was to feel like I was making a positive difference to the environment. If I was in a job that wasn’t fulfilling that need, I just ended up moving on.

It’s also important to consider that work may not be the only influence in your life, so there are other factors that will inevitably shape your career too (e.g. where you want to live, the hours you work, spending time with loved ones etc).

Who most influenced your career direction?

My parents would have had the greatest influence on me making the decision to study marine biology. They have always been enthusiastic about wildlife and the environment and they very much supported me when I expressed an interest in going to Galway to do my degree.

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

Opting for a career in nature conservation is very much a lifestyle choice. In a way, you are turning a hobby into work and that has its pros and cons.

On the one hand, you have the luxury of almost always being interested and excited about your work. Sometimes I forget that I am working because I am so into what I’m doing.

On the other hand, the world of wildlife is full of people who are utterly dedicated to what they are doing, and it’s not unusual for people to work long, long hours (e.g. 70 hour weeks). This makes things very competitive.

It’s also not a career that can guarantee much security from a financial point of view as most of the work is contract based. For me, the enthusiasm I feel for my work makes up for this, but I think it really depends on the individual as to what they consider to be acceptable.

What are your main tasks and responsibilities?

My role as business director and manager obviously involves certain responsibilities, ensuring that projects are well run and that we are on track for meeting targets and goals.

My work as a science communicator is all about holding the audience’s attention, so energy, enthusiasm and a sense of humour tend to go a long way with that one.

When I’m working on scientific surveys, my formal scientific training comes into play as I need to be independent and objective in the way that I evaluate the environment. It’s important not to allow your feelings for a subject to bias the results.

What are the main challenges?

The main challenges for me are all related to the business management side of things, e.g. fundraising, meeting numerous deadlines, making do with limited resources, managing time etc. The science itself is fun and easy in comparison.

What’s cool?

Getting out in the field, traveling, getting close to wildlife, meeting lots of interesting people, being able to try out ideas, seeing a child’s eyes light up when they touch a starfish for the first time, breathing in the sea air…

What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?

I took eight subjects for my Leaving Cert, including the three sciences (biology, chemistry and physics) and music.

In hindsight, I think it probably would have been best to take two science subjects. The workload was very heavy with so many practical subjects (I never had any time to practice the piano!).

I also think it might have been worth studying Spanish rather than French, as it might have been more useful from a globetrotter’s perspective.

Sarah Varien - Marine Environment Consultant

What is your education to date?

• Secondary level: Alexandra College, Dublin
• Tertiary level: BSc Hons in Zoology (1st class), PhD in Fish Biology and Behaviour, University College Galway
• Diving Qualifications: PADI Divemaster

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

Pretty much all of my education. I think there is a tendency for people to focus on subjects that are directly related, e.g. biology or chemistry, but I believe that subjects that receive less emphasis, such as English, are just as important.

A scientist needs to be able to draw upon a whole range of skills in order to be successful in his or her career. For example, good communication skills (both written and spoken) are becoming increasingly important in the science world.

Do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?

I am currently attending the Wicklow Enterprise Board’s Management Development Programme which is certified by the Carlow Institute of Technology.

Because I am running a small business, I need to be looking at constantly improving my business management skills.

I have also signed up for a Wicklow Enterprise Board workshop that focuses on developing media skills. Other areas that I would like to get training on are project management and fundraising skills for NGOs.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

I think that the day that I realised that my business, Marine Dimensions, was actually viable (at least until 2009) was the most rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

Think carefully about pursuing a career that requires a very strong sense of commitment and dedication. If they’re dreaming about that Louis Vuitton handbag or a permanent pensionable job, it’s probably not going to suit them.

But on the positive side, if he or she loves discovery and exploration, well then deciding to be a marine biologist or zoologist might be the best choice they ever made.

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

Determination, enthusiasm for the subject and hard work will get you where you want to go, no matter what your skills are. I would also say that a strong sense of integrity and a good sense of humour should serve you well too.

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

Working with an environmental consultancy, assisting scientific researchers in a university or research institute or working as a volunteer with any of the environmental NGOs.

Karen Griffin, studying physiology

What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?

During secondary school I always knew that I wanted to study science in university. I began a general science degree in UCD in 2001 and branched into pharmacology in second year.

It was the subject that I was always interested in. I continued this subject to my honours degree in 2006.

There have been many milestones during my third-level education that encouraged me to further my education to PhD level. One in particular was representing UCD at the London International Youth Science Forum. This fantastic opportunity allowed me not only to come into contact with world renowned scientists, but to visit other colleges and centres of research.

During this trip my interest in research was sparked, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a PhD after my degree.

Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?

My parents and friends have always been and are still very supportive of my science education.
I was heavily influenced as an undergraduate student by my lecturers – the passion and love that each of them showed for their subjects was inspiring and I couldn’t help but get caught up in their passion.

My PhD supervisor has a huge influence on my career direction at the moment. It is wonderful to watch a person you closely work with still get excited and fervent about research.

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

My lifestyle at the moment is somewhere between a student and in full time employment. As a PhD student, I receive a small wage (from a funding agent). All the skills that I am developing (presentations, experimental design, time management) are preparing me for full-time employment and I am very happy doing what I am doing.

Describe a typical day

As a PhD student, part of my time is spent in the lab and part on reading. When I am running experiments, I have to be very organised and time efficient.

At times my job can be very pressurised, meeting deadlines and collecting data.

The work that I am carrying out is quite exciting as it is both original and new, so it carries many challenges.

It can be very frustrating when experiments don’t work, but overcoming these problems is the most rewarding and satisfying part of my job.

What are the main challenges?

Keeping up to date with new research and techniques. I also found when I started in my position that it could have been quite overwhelming, I was studying a new area and was using techniques that I was unfamiliar with, however I enjoy the constant challenge.

What’s cool?

There are so many areas of my job that I find cool. Two in particular that come straight to mind would be the techniques that I am using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

I enjoy working on this part of my project and when I talk about my work to people who are connected directly to the science industry and even those who aren’t, it never fails to fascinate.

The second thing that I think is cool is that my work is original and new and knowing some day my project could make a difference to people’s lives gives me such a buzz, that I really look forward to getting into the lab every morning!

What is your education to date?

Secondary school – Leaving Cert, inc chemistry and biology
Degree level – Biology, chemistry, biochemistry (minor), pharmacology (major). The subject of pharmacology strongly influenced my career path.
PhD level – physiology

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

I believe that every subject that I have studied to date has been crucial to my current job. As an undergraduate, I was exposed to many different aspects of science, and this education and understanding has been so important.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

As an undergraduate student, completing my fourth-year project. This was one of the most important and challenging part of my studies. I was faced with learning new techniques and developing my thinking as a scientist.

What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?

I feel that I am highly organised, determined and motivated. I think that these qualities are essential in a PhD.

One of the most important qualities that a scientist has to possess is the drive to ask “why” and to be passionate to find the answer.

What is your dream job?

I would love to work as a lab team leader in a top pharmaceutical company.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

Having a keen interest in science and research is essential to doing a PhD. My advice to anyone considering a PhD is to understand what it involves, long hours, unsuccessful experiments and some disappointment.

I think that if you know all this and can still be excited by being in a lab and working through all these challenges, then a PhD is a path for you.

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

Patience, time management and determination.

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

During third-level education, there are many opportunities that provide an insight into the world of research. All science labs allow people to understand what working in a lab is like. It develops good lab skills and record keeping.

The most important opportunity that a third-level student is offered is the chance to carry out a fourth-year project. This usually entails carrying out a small study in a chosen area. The student must learn new techniques, carry out research and write a dissertation.

I feel that it was during the time of my fourth-year project that I really started to understand about research. I loved spending time in the lab, being faced with challenges and overcoming them. I knew a PhD was for me.