Biotechnology utilizes living cells and cellular materials to create pharmaceutical, diagnostic, agricultural, environmental, and other products to benefit society. It is also used to study and to alter genetic information in animals so that human diseases can be modelled and studied.

Biotechnology is a research-oriented field. You need to possess sound technical skills in biotechnology along with soft & transferable skills in order to get placed in a biotech or biopharmaceutical company. The other skills required are knowledge of biology, pay attention to detail, ability to work on your own with research, excellent verbal communication skills, maths knowledge, analytical thinking skills and knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals.

Many important biotechnology companies are operating in Dublin, Cork (Little Island and Ringaskiddy) and Limerick, including nine of the top 10 biopharmaceutical industries. Therefore, highly trained and skilled professionals are constantly required. There are approximately 15 courses in biotechnology between undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Irish institutes of technology and universities.