Career prospects

Completion of this Master’s programme will provide you with a strong research background and a broad knowledge in toxicology, epidemiology and the field of One Health, with ample opportunity to go more in-depth into a specific field of your choice. This will prepare you for a career in academia (PhD) or in a more applied direction including research and development (R&D), communication and consultancy.

Academic and professional knowledge and skills

Following the programme Health and Environment will allow you to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills in recognizing and evaluating human, animal and environmental exposure to potential beneficial or hazardous factors. This knowledge will be acquired through qualitative and quantitative analysis in both fundamental and applied research. Furthermore, our programme content will teach you to communicate scientific research on an academic level both written and orally. These skills are all highly appreciated when entering your future (scientific) workplace.

During the Master’s programme, you will be challenged to determine which career perspective best fits your talents and interests. We will guide and support you to focus your programme on obtaining all the skills required for a certain career path.

In addition to individual guidance, group based career orientation is available in the project ‘Navigation towards personal excellence’. This starts with information about profiles, valorisation, and speed dates with alumni and reflection days within the Master’s programme spread over the two years. ‘Career lunches’ with life sciences researchers within the GSLS offer a personal view on someone’s career path. On top of this, you can use your electives for several related course on career orientation. All these activities will be embedded in the Graduate School's career services.

For the entire duration of your Master’s, you will have access to experts in the field who can help you find the perfect internships and courses specific for your interests.

Academic careers

Many Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) graduates pursue a career in academia by applying to a PhD position. Some of them stay with Utrecht University by enrolling in one of the GSLS PhD programmes or other groups within Utrecht University. Currently, Health and Environment graduates are working on their PhD research with a wide range of Dutch and international universities. Other possibilities for research include research assistant and junior researcher at universities, medical centres and governmental agencies.

Professional careers

A Master’s degree in Health and Environment will provide you with many career opportunities other than academia. Here are a few examples of professional careers you could pursue:

Risk assessor

European legislation demands that risk assessments are available for all new and existing chemicals imported, produced, and applied in Europe. Risk assessments focus on the general population, consumers, workers, and the ecosystem. With a Master’s degree in Health and Environment, you can work with industry, governments and consultancies on these risk assessments.

One Health specialist

Society has a need for interdisciplinary experts that can connect the various specialisms relevant in One Health.

Environmental health specialist

In municipal and regional public health services, experts are needed with a background in environmental health. Graduates from our programme hold positions with these health services both in the Netherlands and abroad.

Occupational health specialist

Some of our graduates work as occupational hygienists with regional or national occupational health services and institutes. They work on the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control, and prevention of hazards from work that may result in injury, illness, or affect the well-being of workers.

Examples of institutes and companies that offer these vacancies: The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Public Health Service (GGD), The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH), KWR, CTGB, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Chemical Agency (ECHA), Feed companies, EU, World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).