Postgraduate Careers & Placements by Sector
The School of Biological Sciences recognises the importance that gaining relevant experience has to our students to support developing skills and a bright career. We have developed a successful placement programme at postgraduate taught level which embeds work based learning as part of the course. Many postgraduate students have the option to add a placement onto their degree programme and this is viewed as being one of the most important aspects of the degree, enabling the opportunity to experience jobs in preparation for graduation.
Securing graduate employment is competitive! So gaining as much experience as possible is vital during your time at Queen’s. Each year over 250 students are opting to integrate a work placement into their studies. We have a dedicated placement team to support students and we are continually increasing our links with organisations both locally and internationally to provide high quality opportunities for our students. The School currently operates the most diverse work experience programme in the University and when work placement is undertaken it is an assessed component of the degree course. Assessment is based on how our students develop appropriate graduate level skills, apply aspects of their academic learning, and develop research based project management skills.
For more information check out our brochure!
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Postgraduate Programmes
Watch this video for an overview of the opportunities and experiences available in the School of Biological Sciences and to hear from our students as they discuss their placement experience.
Discover more placement testimonials:
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE
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Our MSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare course aims to advance understanding of current and emerging issues in both Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare.
This course covers a wide range of animals from insects to primates and learning of communication, ethics, conservation sensory systems and animal personality.
Course Content: Animal Behaviour and Welfare (MSc) | Courses
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Placement Information
Placement Timeframe:
12 Weeks - Commences April/August each year
Key Contact:
Dionne Alexander – d.alexander@qub.ac.uk
- Types of Placement
Placements Applicable to Students:
- Animal charities, zoos, wildlife parks, aquaculture, animal nutrition companies, health and nutrition product development. Examples include:
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- Belfast Zoo
- Dublin Zoo
- USPCA
- Ulster Wildlife
- Dogs Trust
- Cats Protection
- Archipelagos Marine Research Institute
- Environmental protection agencies, environmental consultancies, government agencies and research institutions. Examples include:
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- DAERA
- Teagasc
- AECOM
- Conservation Detection Dogs
- Medical and veterinary research, working animals, conservation, education, communication, policy and legislation. Examples include:
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- AFBI
- Shanaghan Veterinary Practice
- Eurogroup for Animals
- PAWS
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- Benefits of Undertaking Placement
Benefits Include:
- Improved chances of securing a graduate-level job
- A clearer understanding of what career areas you want to progress
- Opportunity to integrate academic theory and practice
- Makes you more employable - develop transferable and technical skills
- Experience of the job application process
- Increased confidence, motivation and professionalism
- Start to develop your own networks and contacts - Get acquainted with experts in your field
- Valuable insights into industry culture and commercial awareness
- Heightened self-awareness through reflection
- Experience of other countries, cultures and languages
- Testimonials
"Working with students from Queen's University has been a very positive experience. These students bring diverse backgrounds, academic knowledge, enthusiasm, and a professional manner to their placements. Additionally, mentoring and supervising students during their placements has been a rewarding experience, as they have always been very pleasant and hardworking and eager to learn.
Overall, work placement program has been mutually beneficial for the organization and students alike, providing valuable learning experiences and contributing to the professional growth and development of all involved parties.”
Peter Doyle - Research Officer, Teagasc
"I really loved my placement with Ulster Wildlife and couldn't have had a better project. I've started full time work with MCL Consulting as a graduate ecologist and the placement module was a massive part of securing that job."
Chloe Craig (pictured above) - Animal Behaviour and Welfare Graduate
- Support at Queen's
Students are supported in their search for placements by dedicated School Careers and Placement Consultants. The School has developed relationships with employers who advertise and recruit our students on an annual basis. Our students undertake placement locally, nationally and internationally.
Support includes:
- Timetabled programme of workshops, supporting students through all stages of work placement including module requirements and the academic requirements related to work placement
- One to one guidance appointments - available weekly to help you make decisions about work placement and how this relates to life after graduation and options with your degree
- Preparation of CV and cover letters - guidance on completing application forms
- Preparing students for placement interviews, including interview technique and mock interview support
- Dedicated points of contact for students before, during and post placement for administrative and academic issues
- Students have access to a school specific web based placement management system and associated resources have been developed specifically for our students
- Suitable placement vacancies are sourced and advertised. In addition students have access to previous placement information
- Sessions with students who have completed work placement
Our Academics:
At Queen’s University Belfast we have some of the best academics teaching our students – people who are at the forefront of their field in terms of research, impact, experience and skills. Our academics have a wealth of experience, industry connections and specialised skills to support you in developing key career skills.
Profiles of some staff who teach on the Animal Behaviour And Welfare programme include:
Ecological Management & Conservation Biology
Our MSc Ecological Management and Conservation Biology course blends taught conservation biology with practical field-based ecological management practice, with field trips throughout Semester 1 to build upon applied and practical learning.
A broad range of taught and practical content in ecological management and conservation biology is covered, including taxa from plants to mammals and environments from marine to terrestrial.
Course Content: Ecological Management and Conservation Biology (MSc) | Courses
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Placement Information
Placement Timeframe:
12 Weeks - Commences April/August each year
Key Contact:
Dionne Alexander – d.alexander@qub.ac.uk
- Types of Placement
Students can undertake a broad range of placements across the globe and with a research project included this provides the opportunity to support the work of the organization.
Placements can be across:
- Non-governmental organisations such as wildlife trusts; environmental and conservation groups; animal and wildlife protection charities. Examples include:
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- Ulster Wildlife
- National Trust
- RSPB
- Rewilding Europe
- Dublin Zoo
- Government bodies both local and international working on policy development, policy reviews, public engagement and regulatory roles. Examples include:
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- DAERA
- Scottish Government
- NPWS
- DEFRA
- Environmental and Ecological Consultancies. Examples include:
-
- AECOM
- RSK
- RPS
- Tetra Tech
- Fieldfare Ecology
- Research institutions. Examples include:
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- Teagasc
- AFBI
- Archipelago Marine Research Institute
- Institute of Marine Mammal Observations
- Universities
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- Benefits of Undertaking Placement
Benefits Include:
- Improved chances of securing a graduate-level job
- A clearer understanding of what career areas you want to progress
- Opportunity to integrate academic theory and practice
- Makes you more employable - develop transferable and technical skills
- Experience of the job application process
- Increased confidence, motivation and professionalism
- Start to develop your own networks and contacts - Get acquainted with experts in your field
- Valuable insights into industry culture and commercial awareness
- Heightened self-awareness through reflection
- Experience of other countries, cultures and languages
- Testimonials
“AECOM, and especially the ecology team at AECOM, have got an absolutely amazing relationship with Queens. We always try and get a work placement student during the summers and I was actually one of those work placement students nearly 5 years ago now.
Several of the people that we have working for us at the minute are Queen’s alumni and people in the past have been hired straight out of the placement programme. It’s just a great scheme in terms of being able to talk to students who are still in academia and being able to get fresh new ideas into the team.”
Paul Donaghey - Ecologist, AECOM
- Support at Queen's
Students are supported in their search for placements by dedicated School Careers and Placement Consultants. The School has developed relationships with employers who advertise and recruit our students on an annual basis. Our students undertake placement locally, nationally and internationally.
Support includes:
- Timetabled programme of workshops, supporting students through all stages of work placement including module requirements and the academic requirements related to work placement
- One to one guidance appointments - available weekly to help you make decisions about work placement and how this relates to life after graduation and options with your degree
- Preparation of CV and cover letters - guidance on completing application forms
- Preparing students for placement interviews, including interview technique and mock interview support
- Dedicated points of contact for students before, during and post placement for administrative and academic issues
- Students have access to a school specific web based placement management system and associated resources have been developed specifically for our students
- Suitable placement vacancies are sourced and advertised. In addition students have access to previous placement information
- Sessions with students who have completed work placement
Our Academics:
At Queen’s University Belfast we have some of the best academics teaching our students – people who are at the forefront of their field in terms of research, impact, experience and skills. Our academics have a wealth of experience, industry connections and specialised skills to support you in developing key career skills.
Profiles of some staff who teach on the Ecological Management & Conservation Biology programme include:
Leadership For Sustainable (Rural) Development
Our MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development course is a masters programme for those who want to help turn the vision of a just and ecologically sustainable society into a practical reality.
Sustainable rural development is vital to the development and maintenance of a vibrant economy, quality of life and environmental viability. Rural areas often experience greater economic challenges than their urban counterparts, yet rural communities are well positioned to understand local needs, adapt to changing demands, address area-specific challenges and support sustainable diversification.
Course Content: Leadership for Sustainable Development (MSc) | Courses Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development (MSc) | Courses
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Placement Information
Placement Timeframe:
Leadership for Sustainable Development - Three 8 Week Placements
January-March 8 weeks April-June 8 weeks July-August 8 weeks Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development - 16 Week Placement
Commences January/June each year
Key Contact:
Dionne Alexander – d.alexander@qub.ac.uk
- Types of Placement
Placements Applicable to Students:
Students develop knowledge on sustainable goals across a wide range of industries, sectors and practices.
Environmental Management (across a range of sectors):
- Waste and resource management
- Industry maintenance
- Monitoring of environmental regulations
- Environmental managements systems (include ISO14001)
- Renewable energy projects
Humanitarian:
- Improving equality, opportunities, quality of life, peace, justice and strong institutions
Economy and Industry:
- Economic growth
- Green and conservational innovation
Education and Health:
- Promoting sustainability communications and education to groups on practices
- Sustainable health practices
- Benefits of Undertaking Placement
Benefits Include:
- Improved chances of securing a graduate-level job
- A clearer understanding of what career areas you want to progress
- Opportunity to integrate academic theory and practice
- Makes you more employable - develop transferable and technical skills
- Experience of the job application process
- Increased confidence, motivation and professionalism
- Start to develop your own networks and contacts - Get acquainted with experts in your field
- Valuable insights into industry culture and commercial awareness
- Heightened self-awareness through reflection
- Experience of other countries, cultures and languages
- Testimonials
“This placement has been engaging, offering me immersive insights into professional environments, the maritime sector, and practical sustainability practices. It has solidified my passion for pursuing a career in sustainability and environmental management.”
Amy Smyth (pictured above) - MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development Student, Placement with Belfast Harbour Commissioners
“We have found that placement students who are exposed to the day to day tasks and challenges that occur within organisations, take a lot from the placement opportunity and working across the full spectrum of the organization. One thing we ensure at Action Renewables is providing the opportunity for placement students to work across the entire organization and within multiple teams and departments.”
“We value the work our placement students provide and find the best have been those who show a hunger and keenness to provide support across the whole organization. Many of our team were initially here on placement and have been offered full time employment at the conclusion of their studies.”
James McKay - Business Development Manager, Action Renewables
- Support at Queen's
Students are supported in their search for placements by dedicated School Careers and Placement Consultants. The School has developed relationships with employers who advertise and recruit our students on an annual basis. Our students undertake placement locally, nationally and internationally.
Support includes:
- Timetabled programme of workshops, supporting students through all stages of work placement including module requirements and the academic requirements related to work placement
- One to one guidance appointments - available weekly to help you make decisions about work placement and how this relates to life after graduation and options with your degree
- Preparation of CV and cover letters - guidance on completing application forms
- Preparing students for placement interviews, including interview technique and mock interview support
- Dedicated points of contact for students before, during and post placement for administrative and academic issues
- Students have access to a school specific web based placement management system and associated resources have been developed specifically for our students
- Suitable placement vacancies are sourced and advertised. In addition students have access to previous placement information
- Sessions with students who have completed work placement
At Queen’s University Belfast we have some of the best academics teaching our students – people who are at the forefront of their field in terms of research, impact, experience and skills. Our academics have a wealth of experience, industry connections and specialised skills to support you in developing key career skills.
Molecular Biology And Biotechnology
Our MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology course aims to teach the fundamental molecular bioscience underpinning biotechnology along with examples of its current applications.
Biotechnology is the exploitation of living systems or molecules from them for commercial gain. Modern biotechnologies rely on our increasing ability to manipulate organisms at the genetic level and include novel waste treatments and bioremediations, new pharmaceuticals, the exploitation of enzymes in 'green catalysis' and exciting new diagnostic techniques.
Course Content: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSc) | Courses
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Placement Information
Placement Timeframe:
12 – 14 weeks - Commences May-June each year
Key Contact:
Grace Heatley - g.heatley@qub.ac.uk
- Types of Placement
Placements Applicable to Students:
Our Graduates develop knowledge and skills relevant to a wide range of roles in molecular biology and biotechnology including commercial, industrial and healthcare applications.
Past students have gone on to roles, such as:
- Formulations Analyst
- Research Associate
- Technical Support
- Validation Scientist
- Quality Assurance
- Associate Scientist
- Benefits of Undertaking Placement
Benefits Include:
- Improved chances of securing a graduate-level job
- A clearer understanding of what career areas you want to progress
- Opportunity to integrate academic theory and practice
- Makes you more employable - develop transferable and technical skills
- Experience of the job application process
- Increased confidence, motivation and professionalism
- Start to develop your own networks and contacts - Get acquainted with experts in your field
- Valuable insights into industry culture and commercial awareness
- Heightened self-awareness through reflection
- Experience of other countries, cultures and languages
- Testimonials
“My spin-out company from QUB had a need for a short-term work placement student over last summer.
The MSc student we recruited proved to be a very competent scientist and a highly motivated worker during the placement and, as the company was on the look out for a full-time Research person, it was the logical progression to employ the student once they had completed their MSc degree.”
Irene Grant - CSO, Rapid Myco
- Support at Queen's
Students are supported in their search for placements by dedicated School Careers and Placement Consultants. The School has developed relationships with employers who advertise and recruit our students on an annual basis. Our students undertake placement locally, nationally and internationally.
Support includes:
- Timetabled programme of workshops, supporting students through all stages of work placement including module requirements and the academic requirements related to work placement
- One to one guidance appointments - available weekly to help you make decisions about work placement and how this relates to life after graduation and options with your degree
- Preparation of CV and cover letters - guidance on completing application forms
- Preparing students for placement interviews, including interview technique and mock interview support
- Dedicated points of contact for students before, during and post placement for administrative and academic issues
- Students have access to a school specific web based placement management system and associated resources have been developed specifically for our students
- Suitable placement vacancies are sourced and advertised. In addition students have access to previous placement information
- Sessions with students who have completed work placement
Our Academics:
At Queen’s University Belfast we have some of the best academics teaching our students – people who are at the forefront of their field in terms of research, impact, experience and skills. Our academics have a wealth of experience, industry connections and specialised skills to support you in developing key career skills.
Profiles of some staff who teach on the Molecular Biology And Biotechnology And Welfare programme include: