Toxicologist

A Toxicologist is a scientist who studies the effects of chemicals, toxins, and other potentially harmful substances on living organisms. Their work is crucial in determining the safety of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, environmental agents, and consumer products, helping to prevent health risks. Toxicologists work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and regulatory agencies, where they assess the toxicity of substances and ensure they meet safety standards. Their findings contribute to public health, drug development, and environmental protection.

Toxicologists typically do the following:

• Conduct laboratory experiments to assess the toxicity levels of chemicals, drugs, and environmental pollutants.
• Analyze biological samples to study how toxins affect cellular and organ systems.
• Develop testing protocols to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or consumer products.
• Investigate the effects of environmental contaminants on ecosystems and human health.
• Provide risk assessments for chemicals and advise on safe exposure levels for the general public or industrial workers.
• Collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with safety standards and help develop safety guidelines.
• Interpret toxicological data and prepare reports to inform policy, regulatory decisions, and product development.
• Study the long-term effects of toxins, such as carcinogenic or reproductive risks, through in-depth research.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

The following job titles also refer to toxicologist:

toxicology studies researcher
toxicology scientist
toxicology studies analyst
toxicology science researcher
toxicology analyst
toxicology studies scholar
toxicology studies research scientist
toxicology scholar
toxicology research scientist
toxicology studies research analyst
toxicology studies scientist
toxicology research analyst
toxicology researcher
toxicologists

Toxicologists typically work in laboratory environments, using advanced scientific equipment to conduct experiments and analyze samples. They may also work for government regulatory agencies, universities, pharmaceutical companies, or environmental organizations. Depending on their specialization, some toxicologists work in the field, collecting samples from polluted environments or conducting studies on wildlife. The work often involves handling potentially hazardous materials, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols. Toxicologists usually work full-time, though project deadlines or urgent public health concerns may require additional hours.

A bachelor’s degree in toxicology, chemistry, biology, or a related field is required to become a Toxicologist. However, most toxicologists pursue advanced degrees (master’s or PhD) in toxicology or pharmacology, particularly for research and regulatory positions. Practical experience in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and understanding of regulatory frameworks is essential. Certification, such as from the American Board of Toxicology (ABT), is often required for higher-level positions. Continuous learning and staying updated on the latest scientific developments in toxicology and public health is crucial for advancing in the field.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Toxicologist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to toxicologist.

immunologist
biochemist
physiologist
pharmacologist
microbiologist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of toxicologist.

• Analytical chemistry: Instruments and methods used to separate, identify and quantify matter – the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.
• Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
• Toxicology: The negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, their dose and exposure.
• Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing a hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills are necessary for the role of toxicologist.

• Perform toxicological studies: Perform tests to detect poisons or drug misuse and help to monitor therapy by using chemical reagents, enzymes, radioisotopes and antibodies to detect abnormal chemical concentrations in the body.
• Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
• Mix chemicals: Mix chemical substances safely according to the recipe, using the proper dosages.
• Maintain laboratory equipment: Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
• Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
• Perform chemical experiments: Perform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.
• Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
• Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
• Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
• Gather experimental data: Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
• Use chemical analysis equipment: Use laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equipment, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chamber.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of toxicologist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Biological chemistry: Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
• Pharmacology: Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
• Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
• Public health: The principles of health and sickness affecting the population, including the means for health promotion and prevention and community and primary care.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of toxicologist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Conduct research on flora: Collect and analyse data about plants in order to discover their basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
• Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
• Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
• Prepare lesson content: Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
• Assist in clinical trials: Work with fellow scientists on clinical trials in order to improve medical methods for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating diseases.
• Perform lectures: Present lectures to various groups.
• Analyse cell cultures: Analyse cell cultures grown from tissue samples, performing also screening of the cervical smear to detect fertility issues.
• Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• Analyse blood samples: Analyse blood samples using computer-aided and manual techniques, looking for white or red blood cell abnormalities and other risk factors.
• Assist police investigations: Assist in police investigations by providing them with specialised information as a professional involved in the case, or by providing witness accounts, in order to ensure the police have all relevant information for the case.
• Analyse environmental data: Analyse data that interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
• Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
• Test samples for pollutants: Measure concentrations of pollutants within samples. Calculate air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes. Identify potential safety or health risks such as radiation.
• Develop scientific research protocols: Develop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.
• Prepare compliance documents: Prepare documents with legal value that prove that an installation or a facility is conform to the regulations.
• Archive scientific documentation: Store documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for their research.
• Troubleshoot cosmetics formula issues: Troubleshoot the unstable formulas, scaling-up issues in order to ensure stability and a high-quality end product that conforms to specifications.
• Recommend product improvements: Recommend product modifications and process improvements.
• Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
• Provide technical expertise: Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision-makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.
• Provide specialist pharmaceutical advice: Provide specialist information and advice on medicinal products such as the appropriate use, the adverse reactions and the interactions with other medications.
• Conduct experiments on animals: Test medicines and other products on animals in order to discover their effects.
• Develop pharmaceutical drugs: Develop new therapeutic products according to the potential formulas, studies and indications recorded during the research process that involved also collaboration with physicians, biochemists and pharmacologists.
• Advise on legislative acts: Advise officials in a legislature on the propositioning of new bills and the consideration of items of legislation.
• Assess environmental impact: Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation’s environmental risks while taking costs into account.
• Contribute to registration of pharmaceutical products: Participate in the registration process that allows the sale and distribution of substances that treat or prevent human and animal diseases or enable medical diagnosis.
• Conduct research on fauna: Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
• Develop patient treatment strategies: Consult with fellow doctors and scientists in order to find the appropriate and most effective treatment for each individual patient.
• Report on environmental issues: Compile environmental reports and communicate on issues. Inform the public or any interested parties in a given context on relevant recent developments in the environment, forecasts on the environment’s future, and any problems and possible solutions.
• Control production: Plan, coordinate, and direct all production activities to insure the goods are made on time, in the correct order, of adequate quality and composition, starting from intake goods up to shipping.

2131 – Biologists, botanists, zoologists and related professionals

---

References

1. Toxicologist – ESCO
2. Toxicologist job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
3. What Does a Toxicologist Do? | Indeed.com
4. Featured image: By The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Toxicology Research at FDA (NCTR 1193), Public Domain