Innovation & the labour market
Shape the future
In Maastricht Region, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, public authorities and businesses work together every day to tackle the societal challenges of tomorrow. From health and circularity to digitalisation: here, ideas are not only conceived, but also developed, tested and put into practice. Thanks to close collaboration between knowledge institutions, innovation hubs and the business community, an environment is created where innovation leads to new opportunities. For businesses and professionals who want to make an impact.
Societal transitions
Many innovations in the Maastricht Region relate to three major shifts that are shaping our future: health, circularity and digitalisation. It is precisely at the intersection of these transitions that new solutions and new career opportunities are emerging.
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Life sciences & Health
From medical technology and biomedical research to prevention and healthy living environments. Here, researchers, healthcare professionals and businesses work together to promote healthier lives.
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Circularity & Sustainability
The region is building a future in which raw materials are used wisely, production processes become more sustainable and innovation contributes to a circular economy.
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Digital technology
Digitalisation is changing the way we live and work. In the Maastricht Region, businesses and knowledge institutions are developing technologies that make innovation both smarter and more human.
Brightlands: innovation without boundaries
In Maastricht Region, education, research and practice go hand in hand. Businesses, knowledge institutions and public authorities work together on new ideas and solutions within innovation hubs, campuses and regional networks. The Brightlands campuses in Maastricht, Heerlen and Sittard-Geleen play a key role in this. Here, different disciplines come together and new ideas are explored, tested and put into practice.
Key technologies & innovation hubs
Innovations from the region
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Cultured meat
Cultured meat
Mosa Meat is developing cultured beef in Maastricht by growing animal cells into meat. The company is working to meet the following challenge: scaling up this technology to industrial production and ultimately offering an alternative to conventional meat production.
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Technology for the Einstein Telescope
Technology for the Einstein Telescope
ETpathfinder develops and tests technology for future gravitational-wave detectors such as the Einstein Telescope. Work at the research facility includes optics, extremely low temperatures, vacuum technology and vibration isolation, with a view to eventually measuring minute signals from the universe.
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Reimagining a city
Reimagining a city
MAECONOMY uses AI to identify which valuable materials are present in buildings and infrastructure. This enables materials released during demolition to be identified and reused, rather than ending up as waste.
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Diagnosis with a single tear
Diagnosis with a single tear
In Maastricht, Marlies Gijs is investigating how biomarkers in tear fluid can help detect diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Her research aims to contribute to new diagnostic methods that require far less invasive testing than is currently often the case.
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Plastic made from plants
Plastic made from plants
Avantium is developing technology that converts plant-based sugars into FDCA, the building block for the plant-based and recyclable plastic PEF. The technology has been demonstrated on a pilot scale in Geleen and can be used in applications such as packaging and textiles.
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Care that adapts
Care that adapts
Based in Heerlen, Ozyra is developing a single digital platform for various treatment programmes. The platform analyses data entered by patients themselves and uses AI to tailor treatment to the individual. This enables healthcare providers to monitor recovery and adjust treatment as required.
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Fresh water containing bacteria
Fresh water containing bacteria
At the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Aestuarium is developing a new method for desalinating seawater using bio-engineered bacteria. The start-up aims to develop a more energy-efficient and sustainable alternative to existing desalination techniques and to contribute to solutions for global water scarcity.
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Industrial heat without fossil fuels
Industrial heat without fossil fuels
Coolbrook develops technology to electrify high-temperature processes in sectors such as chemicals, steel and cement. The technology has been tested on a large scale at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen and can replace fossil fuels for industrial process heat.
A diverse economy
Developments in healthcare, technology and industry are creating a wealth of new opportunities in the labour market. For example, there is high demand for engineers, data and AI specialists, researchers and professionals in quality assurance and compliance. However, the Maastricht Region’s economy is broader than that. There are also many opportunities in healthcare, education, logistics, the public sector, business services and hospitality.
Fields of work & sectors
Expanding boundaries broadens your horizons
The labour market does not stop at the Dutch border. From Maastricht Region, economic centres and knowledge institutions in Belgium and Germany are also close by. This offers opportunities to live in one country and work in another, to collaborate with international colleagues and to explore different career paths throughout your career.