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Unemployable Biochemist?

  • 23-11-2005 12:49pm
    #1
    Souness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 294 ✭✭


    I am a qualified Biochemist, admittedly not practiced since 2001. I spent 3 years abroad and returned last year to the news that the job market had never been better for this sector. I got maybe 10 interviews and all cited my lack of experience for not hiring, eventually gave up and got a job in Scientific publishing. However I would like to get working in a QC role to start in a Diagnostics or Pharma company. Heres the question, Is there any point in pusuing this or would I need to go back and do a Post Grad. 26 now and feel that college days should be over. Any advice?


Comments

  • #2
    Panserborn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 807 ✭✭✭Panserborn


    Hi

    I'm a Ph.D researcher in Biochemistry in NUIG and from what I see it seems that to get a job worth your while you would need some kind of postgrad qualification. The students we take on for projects usually stay to do a M.Sc, Ph.D or H.Dip in order to get a job requiring a graduate level of experience. The M.Sc in Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry (a little heavier on the chem side than the biochem side though) in NUIG or the H.dip in Microbiology are both pretty good in that they only take a year and in the case of the H.dip they will set you up in a job at the end. As far as I know the M.Sc graduates this year mostly found jobs pretty quickly. If you want a longer haul, the M.Sc in Neuropharmacology is (IMO) one of the best masters programs in the university. It takes 2 years but 7-8 months of that is on placement. Coming from a biochemistry background makes this M.Sc very do-able.

    Hope all this waffle helps, PM me if you need any info from the dept here and I'll see what I can do!


  • #3
    GuanYin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭GuanYin


    There are always graduate jobs for defree holders at entry level. This may be a bad time of year, usually recruitment peaks around the summer months.

    That said, scanning Irishjobs I can see 2-3 postings that advertise graduate jobs for biochemists at entry level. One notable one at Manpower.ie.

    If you want me to have a look at your CV and give you pointers you can PM me a link (don't include your name address/employer contact details or references if you prefer).


  • #4
    Civilian_Target
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    I agree with Panserborn - not 100% about Biochemistry, but in the Physics industry, a Masters is pretty much the minimum degree requirement to work in industry. People with BSc's tend to end up becoming teachers, or working in another field (IT and financial being the main ones)


  • #5
    Souness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 294 ✭✭Souness


    Panserborn wrote:
    The M.Sc in Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry (a little heavier on the chem side than the biochem side though) in NUIG or the H.dip in Microbiology are both pretty good in that they only take a year and in the case of the H.dip they will set you up in a job at the end. As far as I know the M.Sc graduates this year mostly found jobs pretty quickly. If you want a longer haul, the M.Sc in Neuropharmacology is (IMO) one of the best masters programs in the university.

    Ex UCG myself! Some of my friends did the HDip in Micro and had no problem getting work, Micro isnt an area that I want to work in.

    Maria Tuohy tried to get me to do the M.Sc in Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry, in hindsight wish I had. Unfortunately I opted for the HDip in Software. Ended up seriously disliking IT.

    Neuropharm masters must be relatively new. Also heard rumour that the New Biomed Dept offered a range of Masters.

    At the moment I'm trying to avoid going back to Uni. So will give it till March time (Think thats the time you have to apply for Postgrad courses) to get a job on my degree.

    Back to Irishjobs.ie

    Appreciate all your feedback, unfortunately it seems to confirm my view that Ireland is crammed full of degree holders with postgrads. On the upside life in UCG and galway was brilliant, so not all bad if have to go back.


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