Universiteit Leiden

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Life Science & Technology - Leiden University

Life Science and Science Communication and Society (MSc)

Career prospects

After graduation you have a lot of opportunities: the field of science communication is very broad. You can also aim for a career in industry or research.

Acquired skills and competence

The Master of Science programme guarantees thorough research training founded on a sound theoretical basis. After graduating you will have excellent knowledge of Life Sciences and highly developed research skills. Moreover you have obtained the skills and knowledge to apply your LST 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.

SCS job and internship opportunities

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

After completing the MSc LST programme, you will have a wide range of career options. All students with a Master of Science degree in LST are admissible to a PhD programme. If you have the desire to apply your knowledge of chemistry outside the university, there are good job opportunities in Research & Development departments in industry, business, public utility companies, teaching, consultancy and government bodies. Many students eventually reach senior management positions.

Examples of current positions of graduates

•    Process technologist at COVRA N.V.
•    Application Scientist at RiverD
•    Clinical Project Manager at IQVIA
•    Technical Life Science Sales Specialist at NonoTemper Technologies
•    Marketing Manager at Dawn Foods Global
•    Company secretary at Netherlands Forensic Institute
•    Associate Scientist New Cellular Technologies at Galapagos
•    Assistant Breeder at Axia Vegetable Seeds
•    Research technician at Charles River Laboratories
•    Software, Integration & BI Architect at VMG Company B.V.
•    Research associate at Genmab
•    Science Talent Recruitment Expert at Science@Work
•    technician upstream processing at Batavia Biosciences
•    Recruiter at BIRD Recruitment
•    Associate Scientist at Johnson & Johnson
•    Strategist at Gupta Strategists
•    Supply Chain Graduate - Front Line Manager Operations at PepsiCo
•    Senior Business Technology Consultant at First Consulting
•    Continuous Improvement Engineer at Sanquin
•    Technician technical operations at CellPoint
•    Labmanager at Scenic Biotech
•    Project leader communication at KNCV | Hoe ziet "jouw" DNA er uit?
•    Quality control/ medical device manager at Peercode BV
•    Automation Specialist at Janssen Inc.
•    Scientist at Vico Therapeutics B.V.
•    Pharmaceutical Marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim
•    Product Manager Rheumatology at Novartis