After you graduate

Many GSLS graduates pursue a PhD. GSLS offers several PhD programmes, but you can also do a PhD at other universities or research institutes in the Netherlands or abroad (e.g., Hubrecht Institute, RIVM, NKI, Sanquin, NIOO).

The best way to find a PhD is to contact professors in your field or check university, hospital, and AcademicTransfer websites.

If you prefer not to do a PhD but want to research, look for roles as a research technician or researcher in (pharmaceutical) companies like GenMab, Janssen, Danone Nutricia Research, Mercachem Syncom, Thermo Fisher, or TNO.

Check company websites, LinkedIn, or recruitment agencies such as Laboratorium, Checkmark, Science@Work, and VacaturesInFarma. You can also explore opportunities at Utrecht Science Park.

If you are passionate about making knowledge accessible and useful for your target audiences, choose the Communication profile.

You can work as a (freelance) science journalist (e.g., for Elsevier or NewScientist), a policy advisor (communication), or a programme developer at a science museum (e.g., NEMO).

If you prefer clinical trials, consider becoming a medical writer responsible for preparing documents submitted to regulatory agencies like the FDA.

If you are passionate about sharing knowledge and interested in teaching at secondary schools, choose the Education profile. After your Master’s, you can complete a one-year Dutch-language teacher training programme to earn a first-degree teaching qualification, allowing you to teach in VMBO, HAVO, and VWO levels across the Netherlands.

Interested in sales or marketing in life sciences? Check out companies like Eli Lilly, GenDx, or AbbVie. As a medical science liaison (e.g., at Novartis or AstraZeneca), you help position products.

If clinical operations excite you, explore roles like (junior) clinical research assistant, coordinator, or trial coordinator at companies like Novartis, AbbVie, Merus, or The Clinical Company. These roles focus on supporting and monitoring clinical trials. With experience, you can progress to clinical research associate or project manager.

As a consultant, you typically work with different companies, giving you the chance to explore various parts of the industry quickly. Examples include IQVIA, Vintura, The Decision Group, Deltares, Gupta Strategists, and Accenture.

If you prefer healthcare, consider a traineeship at HighSelect, Zorgon, Talent for Care, or management and business controller traineeships at Amsterdam UMC.

Consider a career as a data scientist or data manager at a research institute, pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, or healthcare organisation like Altrecht. You can also join consultancy firms specialising in data science, such as Big Data Republic.

If you are passionate about policy and supporting research, consider careers as a programme secretary/manager or grant advisor at charities or foundations like NWO, ZonMw, Nierstichting, or Hersenstichting. You might also pursue roles as a Clinical Assessor at the Medicines Evaluation Board, a policy advisor, an academic counsellor for Undergraduate or Graduate Schools (e.g., Biology or Biomedical Sciences), or a traineeship at the national government—ministries such as Education, Culture and Science or Health, Welfare and Sport.