STEM Futures: Life and Health Sciences
On this page
The Life and Health sciences sector is one of Northern Ireland’s (NI) most important sectors. The sector combines all elements of Science and Technology that contribute to the discovery and development of products for the healthcare and wellbeing of humans and animals. Northern Ireland as it is globally recognised for its expertise in this sector!
Explore Life and Health sciences further, including its future opportunities here...
Randox Laboratories
Randox Laboratories has 25 offices and employ 850 staff worldwide. Its Northern Ireland offices are situated on the shores of Lough Neagh in four unassuming farm buildings. Once inside, however, you enter a state-of-the-art environment. Committed to revolutionising healthcare in the 21st century, Randox reinvests 15% of its annual profits in research and development, and its diagnostic kits are used in over 30,000 laboratories in 130 countries.
Randox Laboratories Science
Clinical chemistry is the study and analysis of bodily fluids. Randox specialises in this area of science, manufacturing diagnostic machines and chemical tests that identify and monitor diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.
Randox Laboratories Technology
With some illnesses, speed and accuracy can mean the difference between life and death. So diagnostic laboratories strive to improve the testing process so doctors can diagnose and treat illnesses faster and give patients the best chance for recovery. At Randox, they’ve met this need by developing a diagnostic kit that allows 180 simultaneous tests to be carried out using a single body fluid sample. They call it Biochip Array Technology.
View more STEM Futures teacher resources relating to Randox
Warner Chilcott
Warner Chilcott is a global pharmaceutical company that is headquartered in Ardee, Ireland and has a local office located in Larne, Northern Ireland. Focusing on the prevention and treatment of gastroenterological, dermatological and urological conditions as well as women's health issues, its medications are sold throughout North America and Western Europe.
Using its expertise in chemistry, formulation, clinical operations and regulation, employees in its 12 offices strive to improve and develop drugs to aid doctors and patients everywhere.
Warner Chilcott Science
Everything in our world is made up of elements: our bodies, buildings, the air we breathe, plants and animals, our favourite gadgets and so on. All elements are represented on the periodic table. And when elements come together, they form compounds.
In the town of Larne, one company works with elements and compounds on a daily basis, combining these to form the ingredients in the many medicines we use.
Warner Chilcott Technology
When a new drug is in development, technology plays a major role in testing. For example, microscopes are used to examine the shapes of the particles within the tablets in order to confirm how well the drug will be able to be absorbed by the body. Pharmacologists also rely on technology to ensure that a tablet will perform the way the formulation team envisions and that it’s free from impurities.
View more STEM Futures teacher resources relating to Warner Chilcott
Life and Health Sciences Sector Profile
The life and health sciences sector is one of Northern Ireland's (NI) most important sectors. The sector combines all elements of Science and Technology that contribute to the discovery and development of products for the healthcare and wellbeing of humans and animals. Key fields in the life and health sciences sector include biology, biomedical, pharmacy, audiology and optometry.
Jobs in the Life and Health Sciences sector
The life and health science sector in NI employs around 4,000 people, many of which are high value jobs. Employment levels in the sector have increased rapidly in recent years. Some examples of jobs in the life and health science sector are provided below.
|
Anatomist |
E-health engineer |
Physiologist |
Who are the employers in the Life and Health Sciences sector?
There are over 60 businesses in Northern Ireland who are in the life and health sciences sector. These include medical companies, scientific research companies and laboratories. Examples include:
|
Randox Laboratories |
Norbrook |
Diabetica |
Studying in the Life and Health Sciences sector
At School
Many of the subjects studied at school can set you on the right path for a career in life and health sciences sector, for example, Science and Technology and Mathematics.
Further and Higher Education
There are many health and life science related courses available both at further and higher education levels. Some examples are:
|
Biomedical science |
Criminology |
Medicine |
For more information on further and higher education courses visit: Further Education (FE) Colleges, Queens University, Belfast and/or Ulster University.
Future of the Life and Health Sciences sector
The future of the life and health sciences sector looks very promising, especially in Northern Ireland as it is globally recognised for its expertise in the sector. Experts in the industry have identified six key future market opportunities in the life and health sciences sector:
- Stratified medicine
- Connected Health/Telemedicine
- Meeting the needs of an ageing population
- Management of chronic diseases
- Prevention of disease and ill health
- Dealing with new infectious diseases/viruses
Global issues and trends:
- More people getting diseases
- More new diseases/viruses
- Resistance of today's antibiotics
- Globalisation
- Innovation (incl. technology) and scientific progress
- Ageing population
Useful links relating to Life and Health Sciences sector
STEM Futures
View more CCEA STEM resources: