Your future
As a graduate of the Biobased Materials programme, you go on to shape the future of sustainable materials through a wide range of careers in science, industry and innovation.
- You can pursue PhD research at leading universities and research institutes across Europe and beyond, working on topics such as polymer chemistry, bio-based composites, biotechnology, catalysis and circular materials design.
- Or you could move directly into research and development roles within the chemical, materials and biotechnology sectors, applying your interdisciplinary expertise. Alternatively, you might find a position as a materials scientist, product engineer or sustainability analyst, contributing to innovation pipelines in established companies as well as emerging start-ups.
- A growing number of your fellow graduates are diving into entrepreneurship and sustainable business, using their tech skills to launch startups, drive innovation, or consult on circular economy solutions. Others are putting their expertise to work in consulting, publishing, or sustainability assessment.
Your expertise in biobased materials opens doors to a wide range of careers in the growing bioeconomy. Typical destinations include:
- SMEs and start-ups developing next-generation materials, technologies or processes, from bioplastics and coatings to smart, circular composites.
- Chemical and materials companies producing polymers, resins or biomolecules for industrial and biomedical applications, where understanding of structure-property relationships is important.
- Biotechnology, agricultural and biomass processing organisations involved in extraction, valorisation or conversion of renewable feedstocks into valuable chemical building blocks.
- Process and engineering firms designing, optimising or scaling up chemical and biochemical production routes.
- Consultancies, NGOs and governmental bodies working on materials assessment, sustainability metrics and circular economy strategies.
- Your own start-up, working on commercialising your novel products while applying your chemistry and innovation skills
The Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Maastricht was a gamechanger for me. Small classes and continuous knowledge exchange lead to truly deep understanding. You learn to ask the right questions in an interdisciplinary environment and stay curious. You receive more guidance than at traditional universities – exactly what I wanted.
I experienced Maastricht University differently than other places, because it has such a rich and diverse culture. The campus is in the middle of the city, which makes it very easy for your academic life to connect with student life.
The curriculum of the Biobased Materials master’s is super flexible. This allowed me to choose courses that helped me specialise in ionic liquids. The topics that I now encounter as a PhD researcher were almost all covered during the masters. Save to say that BBM gave me a great start!
The fact that the master's programme was taught at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus really helped in making the connection with industry. Company experts were often involved in our lessons about sustainability topics. The teachers are truly engaged with each individual student. I appreciated that small-scale education.
My advice to other students? You don't have to do it alone! Connect with fellow students who have different strengths than yours and study together. This way, you'll get through every part of your studies. Teamwork is the ultimate study hack!
