Career prospects

After your studies

This master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences will teach you refined research skills. However, at Radboud University we understand that not everyone wants to become a researcher. A biomedical scientist has lots of options. To help kick-start your career after graduation we offer you three career profiles. There are mandatory courses connected to each option, but also room to make your own choices: teaching internship, writing project, advisory report for a governmental agency or of course, another research internship.

Option 1: Research profile

This profile provides students with an extensive background in academic research within the field of biomedical sciences. In general, graduates will find employment in scientific departments of universities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies or other institutions where fundamental or pioneering research is performed. Others find work as advisors in a wide variety of public sector and commercial organisations, or with private consultants, and regional environmental health services.

Option 2: Communication profile

This profile teaches about the problems that may be encountered when communicating about biomedical sciences, and how such problems may be resolved. Subjects include communication theory and how to apply this knowledge in a variety of ways. A wide variety of organisations employ communication advisors with a background in biomedical sciences, such as research organisations, government (responsible for public campaigns), municipal health services (responsible for local and regional health education), funding organisations, patients' organisations, science museums, and broadcasting companies.

Option 3: Consultancy profile

This profile is aimed at preparing students for a role as a scientific consultant or advisor. Scientific consultants combine ample knowledge of their scientific discipline with insight into the interaction between science, technology, and society. Additionally, they are sensitive to the views and stakes of people involved, and have the analytical and communicative skills to handle these. You will learn to think of consultancy as both a matter of content and a matter of managing human interaction. On this basis, you can help find sustainable and widely endorsed solutions to issues that come along with scientific and technological developments.

Satisfaction

A majority (72%) of graduates of the Master’s in Biomedical Sciences finds a paid job before or directly after graduating. And many of our alumni are content with their positions (88%), positive about the extent to which capacities are utilised (88%), and believe that the job offers good prospects for career advancements (79%).

Labour market information in the Netherlands Studiekeuze123

From the graduates of the Master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences, 88% found a job within their field. The gross starting salary based on 38 hours a week is €2,400. (Source: studiekeuze123.nl)

Possible occupations

  • Scientific researcher
  • Science editor (science communication)
  • Scientific consultant
  • Clinical study manager
  • University teacher
  • Scientific policy advisor
  • Manager at a biomedical company
  • Medical scientific liaison
  • Research project manager
  • Epidemiologist

PhD programmes

About 40% of our graduates go on to complete a PhD. Radboudumc offers the opportunity for its excellent research-oriented Master's students to write their own research project. The best candidates from the Radboudumc Master’s programmes are awarded a fully funded 4-year PhD position at the department of their choice.

“I like that as a biomedical scientist I’m closely connected to the medical profession without being a doctor. With my broad biomedical knowledge I can easily participate in many research projects and contribute my own expertise. Together we soar to greater heights.”
— Wietske Kievit, graduate of the master's in Biomedical Sciences and now researcher at Department for Health Evidence

Career Support

The Faculty of Medicine has a Career Service team which offers advice for students on career orientation. The Career Service team help students e.g. by supporting them with the creation of their CV, discuss their future plans and organising workshops and events aimed at career orientation.

Why stop learning after graduation?

In order to keep pace with the rapid progress in our current society, you must continue to work on your development even after getting a degree. This allows you to keep up with societal change and make a worthwhile contribution to both your personal development and to wider society. For any questions regarding this lifelong development, Radboud Academy (website in Dutch) is pleased to help you.

Are you looking to deepen your knowledge after obtaining a Master’s degree? Then a post-master might be something for you. Or do you want to learn to translate your academic skills into an actual job? Then you can participate in our Young Professional Programme after your master's (in Dutch).