Marine Sciences

Overview

The Marine Sciences programme at Utrecht University offers multidisciplinary cutting-edge knowledge and research in this rapidly developing field.

Seas and oceans play an important role in our day-to-day lives, and over 65% of the world’s population lives or works in coastal areas. Vital for our economy and health – as well as for climate, food, and biodiversity – seas and oceans have immense societal significance. 

However, the oceans are changing rapidly as human-induced pollution and CO2 emissions lead to warming, acidification and deoxygenation of seas and oceans. The impact on organisms, ocean chemistry, and currents on short to long timescales is uncertain, affecting ecosystems, but also the economy and policymaking.

Careers

Job opportunities in the private sector may be at companies focussing on hydrocarbon and mineral exploration and production or offshore and other engineering firms or consultancies. You may also find employment at international organisations that are active in coastal areas and oceans, such as the United Nations. 

Possible opportunities include :

Dutch government authorities

• Rijkswaterstaat (Public Works and Water Management)

• ministries such as Infrastructure and the Environment Institutes

• the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)

• TNO

• Deltares

• IMARES Research Institute

• the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL)

• the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)

• the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI)

• similar international organisations

Accreditation

Accredited by the NVAO - Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.