Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science Communication and Society (MSc)
Career prospects
With an MSc degree in BPS and Science Communication & Society you are well prepared for a broad array of career prospects in research or industry. The master’s degree is an excellent preparation for a career at the interface of science and public affairs.
The Master of Science programme guarantees thorough research training founded on a sound theoretical basis. After completing your MSc programme you will have excellent knowledge of fundamental Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and highly developed research skills. Moreover you have obtained the skills and knowledge to apply your BPS background to SCS careers. Some examples of career at the interface of science and public affairs are: science writer, science policymaker, public relations officer or research scientist with particular communication skills.
Below you will find an overview of organisations where you can fulfill your SCS internships and where our alumni have found jobs:
- Science editorial offices at newspapers.
- Popular science magazines such as Kijk, New Scientist, Quest.
- Professional journals such as Bionieuws, Chemisch2Weekblad.
- Science museums, science centers, or zoos such as Naturalis, Boerhaave, Museon, Nemo, Artis, Blijdorp.
- Educational organisations such as Stichting C3, Technolab Leiden, UNAWE.
- Patient organisations and health organisations such as Diabetes Fonds, Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds, Nierstichting, KWF.
- Organisations for environmental education such as Natuurmonumenten.
- Radio, television, such as Klokhuis, SchoolTV, De Kennis van Nu.
- Websites with science information such as Kennislink, De Kennis van Nu.
- Research information officer at a university or research institute.
- Our own Science Communication & Society department; student research about mass media, citizen science, museum learning; PhD research in science communication.
- PhD in your own research field; increasingly, scientists with science communication skills are appreciated.
Career
One finds graduates from Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences in the entire width of the (bio)pharmaceutical field. Their careers generally remain closely related to the field of drug discovery and design, or the development and production of drugs, including drug quality, safety and clinical trials. Jobs outside research include various functions in the pharmaceutical industry, in biotechnology companies, or with the government.
Many graduates from Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences choose a career in scientific research and pursue a PhD degree. After obtaining your PhD degree you can continue as a postdoctoral fellow and subsequently, via a tenure track position at university, develop further to assistant-, associate-, or full professor.