Universiteit Leiden

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Industrial Ecology (MSc)

Career prospects

As environmental and ecological changes and their impact become more urgent, demand for Industrial Ecology experts is rising. More and more national and international companies, local and national governments and NGOs are interested in our alumni, who possess the interdisciplinary perspective and skill set needed to drive the transition to a more sustainable future. After graduation, you will therefore have the chance to make a meaningful impact.

Elke Stevens

Graduate, Industrial Air Emissions Advisor, Environment & Safety

Elke Stevens

“Coming from an industrial design background, I initially chose a very technical master’s. But I soon realized I missed the creativity and freedom I’d found in sustainability topics. Industrial Ecology (IE) gave me the systems thinking and interdisciplinary tools I now apply daily in my work. At first I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn't want to work in a standard office job. During my electives, my affinity for water started. I took a field work summer course and applied for a thesis internship. I did my thesis project on the ecosystem services of seagrass and mitigation efforts to reduce seagrass degradation. After the thesis, I continued working at the company. While working in a large company can feel contradictory, it also provides the means to drive real change. The skills I gained during IE, collaborating across cultures, thinking systemically, and applying sustainability in complex contexts, are essential in navigating these challenges and helping shift the industry, step by step.” Graduate Elke Stevens, Industrial Air Emissions Advisor, Environment & Safety, Royal Haskoning DHV

Nico van Eeden

Graduate, Sustainable Consulting, self-employed

Nico van Eeden

“After a degree in Medicine, I wanted to shift my focus to something that truly aligned with my values, like sustainability. Industrial Ecology (IE) offered the perfect mix: it welcomed students from diverse fields, had an international community, and offered a wide range of topics. I especially appreciated the hands-on nature of the programme, from long-term projects to engaging discussions with motivated peers. IE gave me the systems thinking and project management skills I now use daily in my work. After graduating, I started my own sustainability consultancy, where I advise companies on a variety of topics, from LCA’s to circularity frameworks, often in collaboration with other IE students. Entrepreneurship is challenging, but deeply rewarding. My advice? Follow your passion, trust your strengths, and use IE as a foundation to shape your own path in sustainability.” Graduate Nico van Eeden, Sustainable Consulting, self-employed

Alessia Linares Capurro

Graduate, PhD candidate, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University

Alessia Linares Capurro

“The Industrial Ecology (IE) Master’s programme was a turning point for me. Coming from a background in sustainability, I was drawn to IE’s interdisciplinary approach and the diversity of people, from engineers to anthropologists, all working together to tackle complex environmental challenges. What I valued most was the freedom to ask unconventional questions and explore new perspectives. The programme gave me the tools, especially coding and systems thinking, that I now use daily in my PhD research at CML. But more than that, it offered a strong, supportive community and professors who truly care about your path. I didn’t expect to end up in academia, but IE opened that door for me. If you're curious, driven, and ready to learn from others, this is the place to be.” Graduate Alessia Linares Capurro, PhD candidate, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University

Acquired knowledge and competence

Once you possess your diploma, you are an Industrial Ecologist. You are able to analyse sustainability challenges, to create and initiate innovative technological and socio-cultural solutions, and to apply tools and strategies for implementation of these solutions. You have learned to think in systems as opposed to focusing on individual products or processes, which facilitates the development of positive, system-changing solutions. Moreover, you are able to combine the analytical focus of a natural scientist with the problem-solving capacity of an engineer and reflective capacity of a social scientist. This places you in an ideal position to bridge differences between stakeholders and to balance conflicting interests. 

Other valuable skills include:

  • Presenting complex information to various audiences 
  • Setting up and carrying out independent research 
  • Working independently 
  • Analysing and assessing information 
  • Systems thinking (taking the bigger picture into account) 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Programming 
  • Working in teams 
  • Working with stakeholders for a common goal 
  • Self-reflection 
  • Project management 

Career opportunities

An MSc degree in Industrial Ecology proves to be an excellent basis for a meaningful career. As the private and public sectors increasingly realise that sustainability measures are needed to counter the effects of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, the demand for sustainability specialists is rising. Our alumni find jobs at consulting agencies, research institutes, service companies, multinationals, governmental departments, non-governmental organisations, universities, and elsewhere. Many of them are engaged in activities designed to encourage people at all levels of society to adopt sustainable practices and to initiate change in existing patterns of production and consumption.  

Some examples of positions held by our graduates

  • Environmental Specialist 
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Sustainability Analyst 
  • PhD candidate / Scientific Researcher 
  • Consultant Energy Transition 
  • Advisor Circular Economy 
  • Policy Officer 
  • Sustainability Advisor 
  • Project Manager 
  • Environmental Analyst 
  • Advisor Energy & Sustainability 
  • Circular Supply Chain Analyst 
  • ESG Consultant 

They are working in the public and private sectors and for non-governmental organisations, including: 

  • Alliander (energy networks) Biosphere Solar (circular solar panels) 
  • Deloitte, Witteveen + Bos, Metabolic (consultancy) 
  • RIVM (Dutch Institute for public health and the environment) 
  • Dunea (Dutch water services) 
  • EY (corporate services) 
  • Municipalities 
  • Ministries 
  • Philips (consumer products) 
  • Stedin (energy management) 
  • BAM (construction group) 
  • Tauw (environmental engineering consultancy) 
  • Universities of Leiden, Delft and other Dutch and international universities