Master in Biology

A constantly evolving sector

The life sciences are constantly evolving, and with them the techniques and professions. In Belgium, the pharmaceutical industry employs over 29,000 people, including more than 5,000 in research and development (R&D). With 12.8% of the world's pharmaceutical exports, our country is a leader in this field. Alongside the healthcare sector, the development of environmental awareness is opening up a growing number of opportunities for biologists.

Advancing science

Nearly 40% of our young graduates start their careers in research at university, in Belgium or abroad. There, they complete a doctorate (usually 4 years) or take part in a research program, most often on a fundamental subject.

Research is also carried out in corporate R&D departments and public research centers. Working as part of a team, biologists develop new products or carry out laboratory analyses.

I joined a CRO (Contract Research Organisation) in Louvain-la-Neuve right after graduating. I set up clinical studies on behalf of our customers. In concrete terms, I organize the submission of the study to the ethics committee. Then I train the people at the study site. I visit the site regularly to ensure that the protocol is being followed. I liaise with the other sub-contractors involved (e.g. for genetic analyses of blood, encoding of results in databases, etc.). Finally, I coordinate the writing of the final study report. It's a job that requires a lot of organization and a solid ability to manage stress

Marie, graduate

I manage a river contract in southern Belgium, within a nature park financed by European funds. Setting up a river contract involves convincing many partners with often divergent interests. I have to promote the project, notably by publishing brochures. I organize awareness-raising activities, such as courses for children. Administrative and financial management, as well as fund-raising, take up a good part of my time.

Nicolas, graduate

On the periphery of R&D

There are many, many service providers involved downstream of R&D. In large companies, departments take charge of these activities, in whole or in part.

CRO's (Contract Research Organisation) are service companies that subcontract certain stages of clinical research on behalf of major companies. Some have specialized in managing the clinical studies to which new pharmaceutical products are subjected before they are put on the market, in order to verify their safety and pharmacokinetic profile (fate of a drug's active substance within the body, after administration).

Quality is the watchword of the pharmaceutical sector. We must always be able to prove that all procedures comply with current regulations, from the earliest stages of development right through to the delivery of products to customers.

Within the regulatory affairs departments, biologists supported by legal experts monitor current regulations and take charge of filing and monitoring "quality" or "intellectual property" dossiers with the relevant administrative authorities.

Preserving living heritage

More and more biologists are working to protect the natural heritage of plants and animals. In line with environmental policies, they are responsible for inventorying, managing, monitoring and promoting this heritage. They can lead large-scale projects linked to sustainable development (partner search, fundraising, animation, etc.).

My company develops bioreactors. There are 80 of us today. After a year's laboratory training, I manage a cell culture project. This involves planning the stages according to resources in terms of equipment and personnel, with the help of project management tools. I do bibliographical research, conduct certain experiments, and present the results in the form of presentations and publications. English is essential for all contacts with our partners and customers.

Florence, graduate

I'm a quality assurance manager at an agronomy research center. We test pesticides before they are put on the market. I spend 25% of my time in the field, inspecting in the laboratory, in meetings or on external audits. The rest of the time is spent writing procedures and reports. Communication, both oral and written, is essential in my job.

Vanessa, graduate

Transmitting a passion for living things

Science teaching remains a significant outlet for our degrees, both at Hautes Écoles and in upper secondary education.

The emergence of new professions

In recent years, we've seen biologists join the hospital world, either in medically assisted reproduction laboratories or in the management of clinical studies on sick patients.

The bioinformaticians, who combine their scientific training with solid skills in databases as well as statistics and programming, play a fundamental role in the face of the influx of new genomic sequencing and other data from the exploration of living things. They model and compare this wealth of information with the aim of posing relevant research hypotheses to be tested in experimental settings.

I'm a biologist in the molecular biology department of the Institute of Pathology and Genetics (IPG). One of the IPG's missions is to screen for diseases of genetic origin (cystic fibrosis, for example) in adults, children, newborns and fetuses. As a biologist, I have to manage the work of a team of laboratory technologists, analyze the results obtained for each patient and communicate them to the doctor in charge in the form of a report. We also have to keep abreast of new scientific and technical developments through literature searches, training courses and conferences. Managing time and the resources at our disposal, as well as the ability to communicate scientific data concisely, are essential skills in this profession.

Charlotte, graduate