A career in life sciences
The fast-developing life sciences and health sector offers great career opportunities to motivated professionals who want to work in a cutting edge environment. There is a clear need for highly skilled professionals with a broad range of competences. People with excellent research and analytical skills, project management expertise and knowledge of intellectual property and regulation issues are in high demand.
On this page you will find information on:
Career opportunities
Industry Day
To help PhD and Post doc fellows explore their career opportunities, the Industry Days allow you to ask any question and help to plan the next step in your career. One such opportunity is offered by Top Institute Pharma. Please contact Top Institute Pharma for more information.
PCDI
PCDI, or Post-doc Career Development Initiative, helps post-docs further their career in life sciences, health and technology. Not only does the PCDI develop talent within Dutch academic institutes, it also offers support by finding post-docs working in other knowledge-intensive organisations. Visit the PCDI website
BioBusiness Summer School
The intensive five-day program of the BioBusiness PhD Summer School introduces you to the world of life sciences companies. Expect interesting lectures by renowned speakers covering important basic & hot topics and exciting site visits to different international companies. The lectures and company visits are very interactive and the course includes various networking opportunities. Go to the BioBusiness Summer School
BCF Jobs
If you are looking for a job in Life Sciences, then you should definitely visit the website www.BCFjobs.nl. For the Netherlands this is the largest job site for the Life Sciences sector.
BCF careerevent
Are you looking to make the next step in your career and do you want to know more about the current labour market in Life Sciences? Visit BCF Career Event on May 24th in Amsterdam RAI. This is the largest career event for Life Sciences, Chemistry, Food and Pharma. On this day you can meet about 100 employers and expand your professional network. For more information and registration visit www.bcfcareerevent.nl.
The Life Sciences Talent Program
The Life Sciences Talent Program invites internationally oriented top talent to explore their career possibilities in the Dutch Life Sciences sector and to find their next job here. The program is especially designed to help researchers to get insight in their career possibilities in the Netherlands. It aims to recruit new employees for the Dutch Life Sciences sector by bringing international talent in contact with renowned research institutes and companies. For more information visit the website www.lifesciencestalent.nl.
Education & Training
Whether you are a PhD student, Post-doc or research professional, our comprehensive course catalogue will help you find a high quality training course in (bio-) pharmaceutical sciences and related subjects that applies to you. Courses the courses will take place on locations throughout Europe. Browse through the course catalogue
Master level courses
Students looking for education on Masters Level can get an overview of all the Master programs in the life sciences.
Business Courses
Several excellent courses help you develop your business skills.
Get a taste of entrepreneurship:
These short courses aim at making PhD students aware of business opportunities and explore their talents. Example is the Business & Entrepreneurial Skills course.
Give it a go:
These series of lectures/workshops for Phd students and post-docs who consider starting a business. Examples are the NGI venture challenge and the Science to the market course.
Get your hands dirty:
These series of course modules aimed at (recently started) entrepreneurs. Examples are the Niaba BioBusiness Masterclass.
Expand your business:
These series of course modules are meant for professionals. Example is Nyenrode Life Sciences & Healthcare Institute.
Business Plans
It takes a lot of groundwork to get your business up and running. To be successful in business, it is not enough to have a great idea or product. Knowing how to make money of your idea is probably the hardest part.
Ambitious entrepreneurs will have to consider many options. Do you partner with an established company or go it alone? Will you seek the help of a private investor or apply for a subsidy? Cash in on your patents or manufacture the finished drug or device?
Advice and guidance
Several organizations offer their expertise to help you make these difficult decisions:
Syntens innovation network
Syntens is a publicly funded innovation network for small and medium enterprises. Services are independent from commercial interests and free of charge. You can turn to them for general questions as well as coaching on specific matters. Be sure to benefit from its inexpensive workshops (NL).
Chamber of Commerce
KvK is the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. In addition to information on legislation, laws and best practice, they can provide starting entrepreneurs with coaching.
ELI
The department of Economic Affairs (ELI) offers comprehensive information for innovative businesses and offers links to a wide variety of stimulus programs, subsidies and credit facilities www.nlinnovatie.nl (UK).
NOVU
The Dutch Association of Inventors helps you patent your ideas and defend your interests in general. One of their services is a confidential consult to help you protect and market your invention. (NL / UK)
Dutch Patent Office
The Patent Office will help you to claim official ownership of your idea. In addition the office offers you helpful workshops and inspiring lectures. (UK/NL)
Business plan training
NIABA's Masterclass BioBusiness helps entrepreneurs cease opportunities and get their business started. You will learn what to consider when writing a business plan and how to successfully manage a business in all stages of development.
New Venture - business plan competition
Win a prize with your business plan. Read about it on the New Venture website.
Things to consider
Attend network meetings and seminars. There is much to learn from those who have pulled off what you are set out to achieve. Most entrepreneurs will be happy to talk to you and will happily let you pick their brain.
Networking
Networking is the key in any industry, but especially valuable in ours. That is why we keep you up to date on all key events though our event calendar. If you aim to associate with a specific crowd, please check out the different (regional) networks and associations.
Events and organizations:
Be sure to visit the BCFevent which hosts career network events.
The BioBusiness Event is the annual business & network meeting for professionals and a meeting place for entrepreneurs, investors, managers, business developers, scientists, consultants and other parties interested business creation and innovation in Life Sciences & MedTech.
Bioeurope is a well known international conference focused on biotech companies.
Healthvalley is an innovation network based in and around Nijmegen's University and biomed cluster. It organizes events and seminars, although not frequently.
Lifeteczone is a networking organization for the Human Health Sector in South Netherlands.
Foodvalley is an active platform for innovation within the Agro-food Sector (green biotech) in Wageningen.
Amsterdam BioMed Cluster has been set up to gain economic spin-offs from the bio- and medical technology in the region.
You will find an overview of international events at: Bio.org
