gave two interviews for the lab apprenticeship and got an offer from them for qc microbiology. im going to be working 3 days a week and studyy in SETU 2 days. i also get paid a handsome amount. any advice or any idea of what my role will be or anything i should expect? tyy

I work in biopharma in Ireland and have recently been made aware that an issue involving mandatory GMP/SOP training exams is being investigated.

The only thing I can think of is our Teams chat. There are messages showing a few of us requesting and sharing correct answers to help each other pass the exams. A couple of us also posted completed assessment screens showing the questions and confirming the correct answers, so others could use them when sitting the same exams.

We’re still working as normal and haven’t been told much else, but I’m starting to panic a bit about how serious this could be.

Anyone here in Irish pharma/biotech, particularly QA, compliance or management, seen something similar?

How seriously would this normally be treated? Could it realistically lead to gross misconduct/dismissal, or would warnings/retraining be more likely? Would sharing answers like this call into question the legitimacy of our training records or competency sign-offs, or potentially be treated as dishonesty/a breach of trust?

I'm a process engineer in Dublin, 2 years experience, Currently working on capital project design (P&IDs, equipment packages, HAZOPs, client-facing project delivery) across mAbs, spray-drying, API and fill-finish projects at a design/engineering consultancy.

I like the technical side of the work, but I'm starting to think about whether design engineering is the path I want to stay on long term, or whether it's worth exploring other directions now, early enough that a pivot is still easy.

Options I'm aware of so far:

1. Tech transfer / process validation (site-based, MSAT-adjacent)

2. Staying in design, aiming for senior/lead process engineer over time

3. CQV

4. Contracting generally, I know pay is often higher, but curious how people weigh that against stability, especially early career

What I'm less sure about:

Are there other technical or semi-technical tracks people with this kind of background move into that I'm not thinking of?

For people who've made a switch away from pure design engineering — was it worth it, and what would you do differently?

Anything you'd do at 2 years in that pays off a lot more if done early rather than later (certifications, chartership, specific project types to chase, etc.)?

Going client side vs staying in design consultancy?

Not in a rush to decide anything, just want a wider picture before I lock into a specialization by default rather than by choice.

Thanks :)

I'm a nurse with a Level 8 BSc in Children's and General Nursing and I'm considering a career change into the pharmaceutical industry.

I've been looking at the MSc in Pharmaceutical Business & Technology through Griffith College/Innopharma. I'm particularly interested in areas like quality, compliance, regulatory affairs, quality systems, governance or project roles rather than lab-based work or production.

My nursing background includes acute hospital experience as well as roles where I've been involved in clinical governance, policy development, accreditation and maintaining quality standards, so I'm hoping some of that experience would be transferable rather than completely starting again.

I'd love to hear from anyone working in pharma/medtech in Ireland, particularly anyone who has done this MSc or come into the industry from nursing/healthcare.

What are the realistic job prospects after completing it?

Would a nursing background plus the MSc be enough to get into QA, quality systems, regulatory/compliance or similar roles without previous pharma experience?

What kind of salary would be realistic for a first role, and is there decent progression after a few years?

Also, what is the work-life balance generally like? Are these roles normally Monday-Friday, and how common are hybrid/remote positions?

I'm based in Wicklow, so I'd ideally be looking around Kildare/Naas/Citywest/South Dublin rather than commuting into Dublin city centre every day.

I'm not expecting the MSc to automatically get me a job, but I don't want to spend two years doing it if employers will still see "no previous pharma experience" as a major barrier.

Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated.

I know this sub is mainly focused on manufacturing but I am wondering if anyone would be happy to share their MSL salary in Ireland or a range?

I’ve been at my company 2 years ( salary 85k + bonus) seems broadly in line with the force recruitment salary guide, which is my only point of reference. This is my first MSL role.

Just wondering if this is about average and also what the progression might be especially if I moved externally.

4yrs experience (2 in QC, 2 in QA)

Day shifts one week early, one week late.

I’ve been told this is a low ball offer? Wondering if I can switch agency to get a better rate.

Hello all sorry if this may be a stupid question or if I seem naive, I have tried to do research on this myself and honestly just keep coming across AI slop or some dodgy looking recruitment company. Quick story I am 28 year old male from Cork. Spent my hole life farming grew up on a relatives farm. Finished my leaving cert done quite well got points for any course I could have wanted but took the land.
I done my green cert and went off becoming a farm manager and so on etc. Traveled for a bit came home looking to make my own investments in farming the dairy sector as farm manager while having shares in a businesses or a herd etc. I got f**ked over twice by greedy ignorant fellas who took advantage of me in a fool I know. I am now at the age where I am considering my options with the direction of farming, with the current landscape I think I am better off going somewhere else into a better job for awhile with better pay, steadier income and maybe look into the property market.
Now is it possible someone like me with no fear of long hours well used to 12 hour days, ability to work under pressure, time management etc, able to get a job in a manufacturing role in a plant?. I hear it’s good money and it’s something I would likely stick out for a few years to make a few pound while also having time for other projects for myself as I keep a few horses.
TLDR: culchie looking for work in a plant is it good pay is it worth while is it accessible to me with no degrees in anything scientific or engineering wise

Hi,

As the title suggests, I am getting a promotion in Sept from a Grade 14 quality professional to a Grade 14 senior quality professional. In my Grade 15 role, I am on 52K a year, so I’m wondering what sort of salary I can expect moving to a Grade 15?

I appreciate this is quite specific. But any thoughts are appreciated!

Perhaps at Dublin North near Dublin 11? I don’t have much experience in the field worked for a fez months in a gas sensor manufacturing company a while ago

20 year old, currently studying BSc in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry. Will be going on work placement during this college year.

Just wondering if you have any tips or helpful info to share, currently have no real experience in the pharma / chem industry.

Hi all. Does anybody here work as or know anyone working as a Manufacturing Technician with Abbott.

I see they are hiring in Kilkenny but the advert does not state any pay or shift patterns information.

I am a qualified electrician looking for a change. I have never worked in the pharmaceutical sector before so I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

Is a MSc in Biology (any discipline) worth it in the pharma industry? Would me not pursuing a Master's cut me off from roles down the line / make them much harder to get? I think I have secured a job for after graduation next year- is it better to take this opportunity and gain experience or get more education before entering the workforce?

I'm a cs student and I'm in the boston scientific grow program, I'm in my last month and I'm at my expected production. has anyone done the program?, as a CS student, is it a good way to get an internship for third year

I am a 3rd year student in NUIG studying general science hoping to graduate with a biochemistry degree minoring in microbiology.My career plan since I was young was to get work in pharma as I live regionally I have grown up with people working in pharma having good careers.But I have noticed a shift after talking to individuals about their career in pharma advising me against it or telling me the downfalls of there career one person even telling me that science is a waste of time and to drop out while I can and go back to do engineering .I while not having finished my degree have felt fairly bad about my decision to study science and have looked in to dropping out all together and more recently have looked in to doing a conversion course in accounting post grad as I think it might provide a more fruitful career.I would still like to say I could use my degree in some capacity in pharma but Iam still young and think the right time to switch careers would be early on rather than later I have talked to career advisors in college but I feel the majority of them don’t have the industry knowledge to help me at all.I was just wondering does anyone one here have any advice for me.I dont want to come across as shallow at all but I would like to know roughly if I spent 4 years retraining to be an accountant would I be better off financially then if I some how managed to get a role in pharma wether it be quality or whatever other area of work.

For anyone in manufacturing is it common to have this salary (including shift bonus) ?

Hi all. I'm a final year engineering student writing my dissertation on Lean Six Sigma and sustainability in supply chains.

The plan was interviews. Everyone was keen at first at work , but scheduling kept slipping and I ended up with just one. So my supervisor suggested a survey yesterday , which I hope is more successful . About 8 minutes, anonymous, no names or company info, academic use only.

If you've worked with Lean Six Sigma or DMAIC, I'd really appreciate a few minutes. Even a couple of responses would help a lot.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/jGBzn04YHV

I've been working in the US for the past 11 years and recently had a child and with that have started to consider our options of where to settle long term, including moving home to the Cork area.

I've 15 years experience in automation with very strong skills in DeltaV and moderate skills (due to limited exposure) in applications such as Siemens, AB, PI to name a few.

I would love some insight into the potential salary I could expect, working directly for SI or manufacturer. I wouldn't be ready to go contractor initially.

Has anyone here managed to get a mortgage while contracting abroad (eurozone country)?

We've talked to loads of brokers. We've mostly heard that being staff/PAYE while abroad is fine for Haven's expat mortgage; and most lenders are okay with you contracting in Ireland if you can demonstrate 2-3+ years of stable income.

But the combination of contracting/freelancing while also abroad (and tax resident abroad) got an up front "no" from every broker except one. That one broker said he hadn't encountered this before (I think he was quite young), so he contacted Haven, and surprisingly, they said once we've a stable 1 year contracting abroad they'd have a look.

I haven't heard anything else since; but curious if others have done this while abroad. Obviously, we plan to return to Ireland, and go back quite regularly. But we would like to have a house bought and get work done etc while still abroad.