Ireland may experience a shortage of at least 3,600 researchers over the period to 2010, according to a study published today.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) document, which was established by the Tánaiste to assess the challenges of the knowledge economy, predicted future demand for increasing numbers of researchers in enterprise and public research organisations.
The main areas where shortages of researchers are projected to emerge are in IT and biotechnology/pharmaceutical related disciplines.
Ms Anne Heraty, chairwoman, of the EGFSN said "The message for firms, individuals and societies today in an increasingly competitive, global and knowledge-based economy is - innovate or fall behind."
Ms Heraty warned that a skills shortage in research would limit Ireland's ability to take advantage of growth in critical research activity in these sectors."
The group called for an increase in the number of researchers produced through the third-level system by increasing funding for postgraduate research.
Other recommendations included measures to improve the mobility of researchers both to Ireland at research and partner level, and between the public and private sectors.
Ireland should also continue to attract world-renowned researchers to Ireland through Science Foundation Ireland, and researchers' pay should also be improved to reflect their status, the group said.