Maastricht University, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience

Research Master in Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience: Drug Development and Neurohealth

Programme Outline

The programme covers the process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to the market once a lead compound has been identified (drug discovery). You will gain a thorough understanding of pre-clinical research (in-vitro/in-vivo); clinical trials (in volunteers and patients); obtaining marketing authorization; molecular, biological, neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral techniques; biomarker development into diagnostics; clinical trial methodology, and Pharmacovigilance.

Internships

From November of the second year, you will devote your time to the preparation and execution of your research internship and master’s thesis. You will conduct your own research project (very often as part of a larger ongoing study), including the writing of a proposal, acquiring and analyzing the data. The work is reported in a master’s thesis, written in the style of a scientific journal article. Given the strong multidisciplinary research infrastructure here in Maastricht as well as extensive international networks, you will have ample opportunities for internships related to any aspect of Drug Development & Neurohealth, either locally or at other top universities throughout the world. We will help you find a topic and location that best fit your own interests and career goals.

During the programme, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team of neuroscientists including biological psychologists, pharmacists, molecular- and neurobiologists, neuroanatomists, pharmacologists, and psychiatrists. These professionals participate in worldwide international networks of research in relevant fields in academia and industry. This offers excellent opportunities for internships at small, medium, and large biotechnology- / clinical research companies, pharmaceutical- and nutrition industries as well as governmental organizations in the food and drug regulation.

Research environment

The main research topics focus on clinical and pharmacological brain targets and biomarkers associated with affective-, neurodevelopmental-, neurodegenerative- and neurovascular disorders. Core courses are organized along with these mechanisms/disorders including practical training to acquire necessary laboratory skills. Specific workshops like 'Genes and Proteins', 'Drug Metabolism', 'Psychopharmacology' and 'Pharmaco-epidemiology', provide additional technical knowledge.

All research is organized within 5 research groups: Psychopharmacology, Toxicogenomics, Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience.