What can you do with a Master's in Adaptive Organisms?
Understanding how organisms adapt to stressors is crucial for society: to improve animal welfare, protect biodiversity, advance sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.
Competences: what you have learned
You learn to design and conduct cutting-edge biological research, from planning experiments to analysing complex data using the latest scientific methods. The programme develops your communication skills and teamwork abilities, whilst building critical thinking and research ethics knowledge that prepare you for independent scientific work and diverse career opportunities in biology.
After your studies
At Radboud University, fundamental research connects to real-world applications through partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and biotech companies. Many Adaptive Organisms graduates work with these partners, either directly after graduation or following a PhD, taking on roles as researchers, policy officers, advisors or consultants.
Job opportunities
- Researcher at a university or research institute
- Researcher in a company, either a large or a start-up company
- Researcher at a governmental institute or NGO
- Consultant in agriculture or nature conservation
- Policy officer
- Communications officer at nature organisation
- Teacher in biology (HBO or secondary education level)
Alumni testimonials
By the end of the programme, you will have gained extensive experience in laboratory work, data analysis and scientific writing.
- Previous education
- Biology Education (HAN)
- Programme
- Adaptive Organisms
- Study start date
- Study end date
Maartje Hooymans was a Master's student in Adaptive Organism at Radboud University.
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why?
This Master's specialisation is highly research-oriented and includes two research internships, each requiring a Master's thesis. In addition, students write a Review Article and a Research Proposal. By the end of the programme, you will have gained extensive experience in laboratory work, data analysis, and scientific writing. This is an excellent preparation for the job market.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere among students and between teachers and students is always positive. During one of my internships in the Animal Ecology and Physiology department, I also experienced a supportive and welcoming work environment with friendly colleagues. Students in our specialisation are well-connected. Most of us know each other and often engage in social activities outside of our studies. A great way to meet other students is through BeeVee, the Biology study association, which organises plenty of fun events. Many students also enjoy working out at the Radboud Sports Centre, and I love going there with friends as well.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
I think the high level of flexibility in choices can be challenging for Master's students, as it requires a great deal of initiative, proactivity, and planning skills. However, throughout this Master's programme, I have developed these skills as a result.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
In my first Master’s internship, I worked at the Animal Ecology and Physiology department over here at Radboud University. I worked on a project in which we investigated if the impacts of oxygen on the thermal tolerance in zebrafish larvae are modulated by their cellular size.
For my second internship, I've been working for the Comparative Cognition Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. I travelled to Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife for this project. The lab is located within Loro Parque (a zoo). Here, I had the incredible chance to study if a group of Blue-headed macaws could use a part of their long-term memory to anticipate the future.
Why do you think it is important that there are people with this degree? What are your plans once you have received your Master's degree?
I think that in the current environment of organisms, multiple stressors are intensifying at a high rate. Therefore, it is very important to study the fundamental processes involved in the stress adaptation of individual organisms. Armed with this knowledge, we can start exploring various ways to help organisms cope with these stressors.
For my future steps, I am starting a position where I will continue conducting cognitive tests with dogs in Morocco. Throughout my Master's, I have worked with dogs alongside my studies, making this job the perfect continuation of my experience and passion for animals.