Career prospects

After your studies

You will be trained to become an environmental, water or nature expert, analysing the impact of mankind on ecosystem and human health. You’ll learn to unravel the effects of such stressors on all size scales, from cells to ecosystems. This all-encompassing view is a great advantage at the job market, where there’s a great need for environmental experts who can make the connection between science and society. Think of researchers, policy-makers, risk analysers or project managers. Because we focus on aquatic ecosystems and wetlands, our graduates have a head-start when it comes to pertaining positions at water boards or within water-related projects.

Possible occupations

  • Researcher at a university or research institute
  • Consultant at a governmental agency, like a ministry
  • Researcher in a company, either a large or a start-up company
  • Risk analyser
  • Consultant at a consulting firm
  • Policy officer at a governmental organisation or an NGO
  • Researcher at a governmental research institute
  • Communications officer at an environmental organisation
  • Teacher in biology (College or secondary education level)

After graduation, about one third of our students quickly take up a position as researcher and one third starts working as a policy officer at a governmental organisation or an NGO. The rest of the students usually choose for a position in industry, for example, as a risk analyser of toxic substances.

From the graduates of the Master’s programme in Biology, 50% found a job within their field. The gross starting salary based on 37 hours a week is €2,800. (Source: Studiekeuze123)

PhD positions at Radboud University

Every year, Radboud University offers about 5 to 10 PhD positions in this field of research. Of course, many graduates also apply for a PhD position at related departments in the Netherlands, or abroad.

Put your studies to work!

To prepare you for finding a job, Radboud University offers various forms of job market orientation, so that you can prepare for your future during your studies. Career Service Science assists students and young alumni with their journey into the job market. You can contact them for help with job orientation, application tips, and information about internships and vacancies. Furthermore, students organise the BBB Career Event each year, the ideal place for students and employers to meet.

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 is pleased to help you. ​So, 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).