Careers in Science and Healthcare Q4 2023 | A promotional supplement distributed on behalf of Mediaplanet, which takes sole responsibility for its content
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“We need more people in science and health professions.”
“Demand for STEM professionals and associate professionals is expected to grow by around 8%.”
Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Dr Ruth Freeman, Director, Science for Society, SFI
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What the Government is doing to boost healthcare education and access Last year, an agreement was reached with medical schools, which will see the phased introduction of a further 200 places for EU students, with over 120 already introduced.
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e need more people in science and health professions. That’s why my Department and I are committed to increasing the opportunities available to learners in these areas.
Simon Harris Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
The purpose is to diversify entry into third-level education and ensure that a person who wishes to become a nurse or doctor isn’t locked out of the system. We must find ways to help students, so they can study and work here.
Attracting more people to STEM Higher medical education In science, my Department is funding researchers through Close to 750 additional places were added to the higher Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research education system in 2022–2023 across healthcare areas Council. During Science Week, I announced that Ireland including medicine, nursing and pharmacy, to name a few. will be applying to join CERN (European Council for The Higher Education Authority also Nuclear Research), launched the ran an expression of interest to identify 2030 strategy and announced We should excite and Quantum options for further developing capacity the name of the new research funding in healthcare. I am working closely with agency, Taighde Éireann – Research encourage people government colleagues on these. Ireland. to get involved and I have engaged with institutions in Careers in the sciences are particularly Northern Ireland and was pleased to build careers in these supported through Springboard+ and the announce, with Minister Donnelly, 140 Human Capital Initiative. Since it began subjects. additional places in nursing and 80 in in 2011, over €360 million has been spent allied health programmes at Queens on Springboard+. Over 100,000 people University Belfast and Ulster University have benefited through upskilling and for Irish students. Separate engagements are underway to reskilling, with 62% of courses STEM-focused. build capacity for Irish Students to study medicine in these We know we have a challenge to get the next generation universities from September 2024. excited about STEM subjects. These can often feel quite alien to people, but science, engineering and maths impact Diversifying healthcare education our daily lives. We should excite and encourage people to For the first time, students can now earn a university get involved and build careers in these subjects. There is a degree outside the points system by enrolling in a further world of possibilities for those who do. education institution before progressing to a higher education institution to complete their degree.
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How changes to medical device regulation have increased training needs The regulatory system for medical devices has changed significantly, which means medtech firms increasingly require people who understand the new requirements.
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reland’s growing medical technologies (medtech) industry is the largest per capita employer in Europe. Firms in the sector make everything from heart valves, health apps and hip replacements to wheelchairs and neural transmitters.
Tom Melvin Associate Professor in Medical Device Regulatory Affairs, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin
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Increased demand for regulatory affairs training Training needs for regulatory affairs have significantly increased, which is why Trinity College Dublin has created a new postgraduate part-time course called the MSc in Medical Device Regulatory Affairs. This has been funded by the Human Capital Initiative and is delivered as a blend of four in-person sessions on campus, with the remainder delivered remotely. The course has been designed for students who are already employed and need work-life balance. The course’s firstever intake, with many international students, comes from a mix of science, engineering and clinical backgrounds.
Strict regulations in medical devices Naturally, this is a highly regulated space. “The EU legislation surrounding these devices is intended to ensure the safety of patients without stifling innovation,” explains Tom Melvin, Associate Professor in Medical Device Regulatory Affairs, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. “It’s a careful balance.” However, medical device regulation Career advantages for students in Europe has changed significantly, “Under the new rules, each medtech Medical device regulation with more complex and stringent rules organisation must appoint at least in Europe has changed coming into force in May 2021. Anyone one person who is responsible for significantly, with more involved in the design, development, regulatory compliance,” says Professor manufacture and distribution of medical Melvin. “So, one of the drivers for the complex and stringent devices intended for the EU market — course is to help those individuals rules coming into force in including biomedical engineers and carry out their role with confidence. May 2021. medical, legal, scientific and policy Other students already have regulatory researchers — needs to understand and industry experience and want to how the updated rules affect patient safety and medtech deep-dive into topics of interest.” innovation. Professor Melvin hopes the new MSc will benefit “There are now more plans, reports and processes that students in different ways. “It may help them develop need to be adhered to in order to improve clinical evidence further academic interests or find areas of interest that requirements and safety oversight,” says Professor will boost their future careers,” he says. “Regulatory affairs Melvin. “Having an understanding of this new regulatory have seen a lot of growth over the last three or four years landscape is vital because it’s becoming an increasingly and offer many employment opportunities across Ireland relevant part of a device’s translational journey from and Europe.” concept to implementation.”
Why the role of a ‘Qualified Person’ is rewarding and in demand
EU.” In the EU, QPs do not have to be qualified pharmacists. Science graduates who undertake additional educational and practical training can be eligible for the role.
Science graduates looking to the future for a senior position with further responsibility should consider becoming a Qualified Person in a pharma company. It’s a springboard to a rewarding and high-flying industry career.
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hen considering a career in the pharma industry, graduates may not automatically think about becoming a Qualified Person (QP). However, they should, explains Bernard Naughton, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Trinity College Dublin. Being a QP is an extremely responsible, well-respected and well-paid role.
Critical role of a Qualified Person in pharma A QP is a highly skilled scientist responsible for signing off the final batches of medicines before they are released for sale. “It’s a very important quality assurance position,” says Professor Naughton.
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“QPs must understand a medicinal product in detail and any issues that may arise in its manufacture. It’s a QP’s job to assess all the data they receive from other teams and make the decision as to whether a finished batch should be released or not.” Careers opportunities in Ireland and across the EU Under EU legislation, every pharma manufacturer operating in EU member states must employ a Qualified Person. “Every pharmaceutical company has at least one QP, and most have several,” explains Professor Naughton. “As Ireland is the seventh largest net exporter of drugs in the world — and the largest in the EU — there are many QP opportunities within the Irish pharma sector and across the
Studying to become a Qualified Person Typical QP candidates will have worked for three or more years in a quality assurance (QA) or quality control (QC) department in the industry before studying for another qualification. One such qualification is the MSc in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology offered by Trinity College Dublin. It offers hybrid opportunities (including site visits to manufacturing plants) but can be completed entirely online and attracts students from across the world. A QP’s personal qualities are also important. “They should be analytical, good at problem-solving and have high levels of honesty and integrity,” says Professor Naughton. “To move into more senior roles, they will need to be able to lead and innovate. Many graduates of our programme have gone on to take up roles as Heads of Quality within the industry, showing that becoming a QP is an important first step on a high-flying career path.”
Bernard Naughton Director of the MSc in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology (online) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin
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Why pharmaceutical industry careers offer purposeful roles and opportunities Global healthcare companies are looking for passionate individuals from all backgrounds who bring a range of transferable skills and are determined to make their shared goal of improving healthcare around the world a reality.
V Melissa Fisher Country Manager Ireland, Viatris
James O’Connor Sales Manager, Viatris
Cherisse Frawley Interim Medical Lead, Viatris
SPREAD WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway
Spread paid for by Viatris
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iatris was formed to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both, to holistically address healthcare needs globally. The company sees access to medications as fundamental to its mission of empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. In Ireland, 1,600 colleagues are employed across five sites in Dublin, Cork and Galway. With a combined legacy of approximately 120 years, the company is proud of its ability to deliver from end-to-end and across 13 therapeutic areas. improved greatly since I first started,” he says. “There are two, big misconceptions that people “There’s also more focus on Employee Resource have about the pharmaceutical industry,” says Groups and Corporate Responsibility — and it’s Cherisse Frawley, Interim Medical Lead. “The first faster-paced. However, in another way, the industry is that everyone within it wears a white coat and hasn’t changed at all because, ultimately, it’s about works in a lab. The second is that you shouldn’t providing more access to medicines for patients. It’s even think about applying unless you have a what we’ve always been here to do, and what we’ve science degree or a PhD.” However — on both always done.” counts — this couldn’t be further from the truth. “The pharmaceutical industry requires a broad Learning new skills and broadening ways of thinking range of skillsets because it offers a vast array of One of Frawley’s earliest career experiences roles,” explains Frawley. “Yes, it needs people was working in a community pharmacy. While who have scientific backgrounds. I trained as a she loved the job, she says that moving roles pharmacist, for example, but it also needs finance dramatically expanded her horizons. “It’s so experts, supply chain experts, sales professionals, rewarding to be bringing innovative solutions that HR personnel, quality and contribute to advancing patient compliance specialists ... the list care and wellbeing both in Ireland The pharmaceutical and abroad,” she admits. goes on. The fact is that people from many different backgrounds “On a personal basis, I’ve loved industry requires have valuable transferable skills having the opportunity to grow a broad range of that the pharmaceutical industry and develop skills such as project seeks; so, while hiring decisions planning, strategic thinking and skillsets because it are often based on experience, relationship building across many offers a vast array potential is the most important different stakeholder types. It’s attribute to have. My advice is: also been wonderful to work with of roles. if you have an openness and dynamic teams that feature people willingness to explore the avenues from diverse backgrounds. It’s it offers, then go for it!” helped me gain different perspectives and broaden my way of thinking.” Being adaptable, focused and seizing opportunity Diversity and inclusion have always been James O’Connor, Sales Manager, agrees with important at Viatris, stresses Melissa Fisher, Frawley’s assessment of transferable skills. “One of Country Manager Ireland. Making every employee my colleagues used to be an architect and another feel valued is the right and ethical thing to do. “As a was a history teacher,” he says. “I started my career person from a diverse background, I have my own as a science teacher, and now, I’m fortunate to journey in the forefront of my mind,” says Fisher. be part of a global organisation that is one of the “A diverse and inclusive environment helps largest suppliers of medicines to the HSE. The point colleagues feel psychologically safe because if I is, it doesn’t matter where you start. You can be encounter someone I relate to, I can identify with successful if you are adaptable, focused, motivated them, which gives me a sense of wellbeing. A focus and put your hand up to say: ‘I can do that!’ when on diversity and inclusion helps colleagues feel an opportunity arises. truly valued and that they can be their full selves, O’Connor has almost 40 years of industry all the time.” It’s why the company has created experience and admits he’s seen various changes colleague-led Employee Resource Groups — over that time. “For one thing, technology has including VIVID, an LGBTQ+ Resource Group, and EmpoWer, its Women’s Resource Group.
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Making every employee feel valued is the right and ethical thing to do.
Spotting talent and helping colleagues develop “Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace helps us engage with, understand and appreciate our customers more effectively,” Fisher says. “After all, they will also be from diverse backgrounds. The more diverse we are, the wider talent we attract. So, we celebrate difference here at Viatris because we know that diversity is a strength, not a weakness.” Jane Mogerley, Head of Regulatory Affairs, echoes this sentiment. “When you are exposed to various cultures, environments and perspectives, it helps build your skills, values and behaviours,” she says. “We support many charities and community groups each year, which are chosen by employees, ensuring they have the opportunity to understand the challenges of the communities they serve while also embracing what makes individuals unique and realising their own potential. There are so many different departments and roles, too, that give colleagues a range of experiences to help drive their careers forward.” Mogerley has personally experienced this. “I’ve felt nurtured from the day I started,” she says. “Viatris is a company that’s transparent about the opportunities it offers and has developed a culture where people support and invest time in each other.”
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Now part of the senior leadership, Mogerley is passionate about spotting talent and helping colleagues develop, both personally and professionally. “That involves creating an environment where all team members feel comfortable and included and where everyone is approachable,” she explains.
Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace helps us engage with, understand and appreciate our customers more effectively. “It’s also about fairness – sharing opportunities equally, regardless of tenure. Then it’s about encouragement, support and giving ownership — and, when colleagues have achieved their goals, recognising their work with a thank you.” Mogerley is hugely proud of the teams she has developed, especially when she sees colleagues moving into challenging new roles and excelling at what they do. “Don’t get me wrong,” she says. “It can feel like a loss when a great colleague moves onwards and upwards. But it’s also important to celebrate their success and recognise that it creates a space for other talented people to shine.”
Developing a positive culture and growing teams Andrea Moore, Quality Director knows all about developing a positive culture and growing teams. “Culture change was very important for us as Viatris was getting started because it provided the foundation for how the company was going to work and how successful it was going to be,” says Moore. “We wanted to create an environment where colleagues in our five Irish sites would have positive mindsets and trust that the company was going to be exciting and successful, building on its 120-year legacy in Ireland. We wanted to show them that Viatris would have strong values and be determined to fulfil its mission to provide patients with safe, sustainable and effective generic and branded medicines.” This positivity starts at leadership level. “To build trust with their teams, leaders have to set an example,” says Moore. “We created expectations: ‘Own It’ ‘Be Real’ ‘Stay Agile’ and ‘Take Pride’. Leaders inspire others by implementing those values in their own work, listening to colleagues, finding out about their ambitions and needs and giving them projects that feed their passions.” Moore can’t imagine working in any other sector. “I find the pharma industry so exciting because there’s always something new to learn and progression is always possible,” she says. “But, the main reason? We’re here to deliver for patients. That’s the most important thing we do.”
Jane Mogerley Head of Regulatory Affairs, Viatris
Andrea Moore Quality Director, Viatris
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Jackie Murphy Chair of the Irish Medtech Association Leadership Development Taskforce
How sense of belonging can help companies compete for medtech talent
Scoping out a science career: fellowship programmes and support available Demand for STEM professionals and associate professionals is expected to grow by around 8% between now and 2025 — much higher than the average 3% growth forecast for all occupations.
Ireland stands out in Europe as the greatest employer (per capita) of medtech professionals, with 48,000 employed. This figure is rising with over 2,300 jobs announced in the first six months of 2023 alone.
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reland’s global medtech hub boasts 450 companies, including 9 of the world’s top 10, with regional clusters beyond the capital with opportunities in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo and beyond. While this hightech industry is recognised as a driver of growth, with exports of €13 billion, and local investment, what makes it stand out is its commitment to transforming lives.
policies and practices are integrated alongside other measures to embed measures to foster diversity and representation as part of dynamic business strategies. Inspiring our people isn’t just about helping them bring their best selves to work on a daily basis but also empowering them to achieve their ambition whether that be to take on new projects, work cross-functionally or reach leadership.
Need for medtech talent Medtech is committed to saving and improving lives. There are over 500,000 product types on the market, with constant innovation to reduce health inequalities while improving health outcomes. To address unmet clinical needs, we need a strong pipeline of worldclass talent. Medtech is with us throughout life — from ultrasounds and contact lenses to pacemakers and MRI scanners. That is why representation is essential in the medtech industry.
Proactive and thoughtful leadership People in leadership should avoid making diversity and representation exclusive to HR. Cultural change is needed at an organisational level. Organisations must not focus on diversity while neglecting inclusion. Instead, set clear goals with tailored policies. By recognising differences, understanding different experiences, creating a safe environment and being sincere, organisations can be better employers and help their talent thrive. To learn and share best practices, I encourage businesses to get involved in the Irish Medtech Association Leadership Development Taskforce. The Taskforce was originally formed to help increase the number of women working in medtech and progressing to leadership. During my tenure as Chair, with member input, we’ve expanded our focus to include racial equity and multiculturalism, as well as LGBTQI+ and allies.
Helping all employees achieve goals Recruiting diverse teams can help foster innovation, lead to better decision-making and, ultimately, help businesses thrive. However, diversity does not necessarily mean that there is inclusivity, which is essential for retaining talent. In the modern workforce, we are adapting to new models of working with more flexibility as well as a greater emphasis on wellbeing. These
Dr Ruth Freeman Director, Science for Society, SFI
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mployment in STEM-related sectors is also expected to rise by around 6.5% between now and 2025. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is keen to foster awareness of science careers among people of all ages and backgrounds. It also offers various initiatives enabling those interested to participate. Promoting careers in science Each November, Science Week hosts numerous events nationwide — from the bespoke to the broad — signposting people towards STEM careers. Additionally, collaboration with the Department of Education helps ensure that young people and teachers receive a range of support to engage with STEM and, by extension, encourages consideration of science as a fulfilling career. Postgraduate support Last year, Ireland ranked sixth globally for universityindustry R&D collaboration. Our organisation supported 2,301 postgraduate research students, and 32% of PhD graduates and postdoctoral staff departing SFI teams went to industry as a first destination. Responding to the increased demand and rapidly evolving need for a highly skilled, adaptable workforce, Centres for Research Training bring together the higher education sector and industry to deliver innovative programmes of research and training, undertaken by cohorts of postgraduates and developing critical capacity in data and ICT skills. We want researchers to experience diverse career opportunities — be that within industry, research funding/ administration or public administration/government affairs. Navigating the academic-industry axis Our Industry RD&I (research, development and innovation) Fellowship Programme supports academiaindustry interactions that address industry-informed challenges. Participating researchers at the faculty and postdoctoral level can spend up to a year working fulltime (or two years part-time) in industry worldwide. This is a mutually beneficial, deep immersion in knowledge exchange and helps forge impactful relationships. Public service secondments Similarly, the Public Service Fellowship Programme offers researchers secondments to government departments and agencies. The 2023 call featured projects (STEM and nonSTEM) and partnerships with government departments and agencies across Dublin, Cork, Mayo, Offaly and Kildare. Embedding researchers in our public service helps inform new policies and improve public services. Gaining an agency perspective For postdoctoral researchers seeking career development within a funding agency, our Fellowship Programme provides the opportunity for an in-house placement. A firsthand experience of a funding agency from the inside, this programme comes with a comprehensive training plan and mentorship. In terms of career outcomes, alumni of our funded research teams are in high demand, nationally and internationally, and 61% of researchers have taken up positions outside academia after working in SFI-funded teams.
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Reasons why transformative life science careers won’t grow out of demand Foreign direct investment (FDI) employs over 90,000 people in the life sciences sector across more than 400 biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and medical technology facilities across Ireland.
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e are home to 9 of the top 10 global biopharma companies and 14 of the top 15 medtech companies. These are impressive statistics, but numbers alone don’t convey the immense value these companies bring to people’s lives. Life sciences careers bringing value to Ireland Across Ireland, life-changing therapies and medical devices are being produced — from 6.5 billion Panadol tablets annually to stents, ventilators, vaccines, drug delivery devices and therapeutics for chronic conditions and diseases. New drugs and devices are also being developed, tested and prototyped in R&D centres based in Ireland. The discovery, approval, manufacture and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices involve a wide range of roles. These include research scientists; biostatisticians; engineers; chemists; regulatory affairs; quality control; procurement and supply chain; health and safety; legal and compliance.
Aisling Soden Manager, Talent Transformation & Innovation, IDA Ireland
Dynamic roles in life sciences The significant transformation of the sector — driven by scientific advancements, digital technology and evolving patient needs — will see new roles emerge and existing roles evolve. As technology becomes embedded in R&D and manufacturing, there is increasing demand for skills in areas such as AI, generative AI, machine learning, data science, software engineering, robotic process automation, cloud and cybersecurity. Complex global supply chains — coupled with the need to increase operational efficiency and environmental sustainability — will generate demand for digital and data skills, sustainability expertise, circular design and innovation capability. Life science roles will become increasingly multidisciplinary, integrating knowledge and skills from across STEM fields to address complex challenges and foster innovation. Furthermore, individuals will need to be equipped with strong transversal skills in communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and teamwork to operate within multidisciplinary teams. Rewarding career opportunities The life sciences sector provides interesting and rewarding job opportunities for graduates and existing employees, but it also provides diverse career paths for those who seek out upskilling, reskilling and on-the-job experiences. Many of IDA Ireland’s client companies have talent development initiatives aligned to career paths in their operation. Further education, secondments and cross-functional projects are all opportunities for individuals to gain experience and knowledge that will enable them to take on new roles and greater responsibility. The recent flow of investments from IDA Ireland-supported companies underscores Ireland’s growth as a global hub of excellence in STEM.
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