MSc Research Projects
Admission requirements
Depending on your specialization, you do one or two MSc research projects in the second study year. You can only start the research project when you are on track, i.e., when you have acquired close to 60 ECs of your MSc Physics program. In exceptional cases, you can also start a project after half a year of study. Master's Research Project can only be started in consultation with the study advisor.
Description
The Master's Research Project is an integral and vital part of your training as an Physics master's student at Leiden University. During a period of typically 4-9 months, you engage in state-of-the-art research at LION, the Physics Institute of Leiden University. You will be supervised by a scientific staff member and hosted in a research group, where you will participate in new or ongoing research, regular group meetings, seminars, and other activities. Each Master's Research Project is concluded with a Master's Thesis and a Student Presentation.
Each project must be approved by the study advisor before the start.
For some specializations, at least one of the two research projects has to be carried out in an experimental group. All research projects are performed under the responsibility of a LION staff member. One project must be carried out in a LION group. Up to one project can be carried out outside LION.
Practical information
Information regarding the conditions for each specialization please check the OER
Relevant information on procedures and forms for the registration, assessment etc. can be found on the master's research projects page on the Physics student's website
For general questions or in case of problems during your research that you would prefer to discuss confidentially, contact our Physics study advisor Chara Papathanasiou.
Career Preparation
Career preparation at Leiden University
In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.
'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Employability in the curriculum of Physics
General
The MSc Physics program at Leiden University aims to provide you with the best possible preparation to enter the job market after graduation.
The major part of the MSc Physics programme involves the MSc Thesis projects. This is the moment where you learn to transfer your training of discipline-specific knowledge into practical skills to apply them to problems at hand. The program emphasizes that Science Research is always done as a team. The MSc Thesis project also teaches you to work in a professional environment and fosters the development of an extensive set of transferable collaborative and planning skills.
In addition, the required course (APS, 3 EC) focuses on the broader context in which the knowledge and training you received as part of your BSc and MSc physics training is useful and applied in professions outside of fundamental research. It includes the reflection back of this on your conscious choices for their own professional development and preparation for a successful start of their career on the job market.
Activities contributing to career orientation within the curriculum
First Year:
Second Year:
Activities to prepare for the labour market co-curricular or outside of the curriculum
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.
Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.
