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The State Laboratory
Backweston Campus, Celbridge

The State Laboratory is a scheduled office under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. It is the Government's principal analytical chemistry laboratory and provides a comprehensive analytical and advisory service to clients across a range of Government Departments and Offices and State Bodies. The main areas of activity of the Laboratory are:

• Supporting DAFM and FSAI, as Ireland's food and feed safety regulators, to implement official controls and ensure the safety, integrity and authenticity of the food chain, thus protecting consumers and supporting food exports.
  
  
• Supporting Revenue to ensure compliance with customs and excise legislation, in particular the collection of the appropriate tariffs on imports, excise duties on alcohol and motor fuels, and assisting Revenue to combat fraud and illicit trade e.g. counterfeit spirits and fuel laundering.
  
  
• Providing forensic toxicology services to support Coroners' investigations into cases of unexplained deaths and provision of veterinary toxicology services to DAFM and the NPWS.
  
  
• Assisting the HPRA and DAFM to control the use of unlicensed human and veterinary medicines.
  
  
• Supporting the HSE to implement the Tobacco Products Directive.
  
  
• Supporting DETE by providing technical advice on the processing of Applications for Suspension of Customs Duty.

Potential clients are welcome to contact the State Chemist to discuss their requirements informally and in confidence.

The State Laboratory provides excellent career opportunities for chemistry graduates and postgraduates who want to work in superb laboratory facilities utilising the latest technology to perform world-class analysis and make a real difference. Many other skills are required to support the laboratory work including ICT, Health & Safety, Finance, Human Resources and Laboratory Attendants. Potential colleagues will find more information on the Careers page.

Barbara O'Leary
State Chemist.

Contact Details