Career fair 2026 – Biologists meet a broad and expanding labour market
On 11 February, Aula Magna was filled with students, alumni and employers as the annual Career fair for Natural Scientists took place. Over the course of an intensive afternoon, students had the opportunity to network with companies, public authorities and organisations in need of scientific expertise. The overall picture was clear: the labour market for biologists is both strong and diverse.
The fair was combined with talks and panel discussions. Naturvetarna (the Swedish Association of Professional Scientists) addressed issues relating to salaries and the labour market, in both Swedish and English, and provided an introduction to the Swedish labour market model. The day concluded with a panel discussion on degree projects, where students received practical advice and guidance for their independent projects. Our study counsellor, Alexandra Balog, took part in the discussion and emphasised the importance of choosing a subject you genuinely enjoy and of building professional contacts at an early stage.
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Full activity in Aula Magna as students connected with future employers.
Strong Representation from the Consultancy Sector
One clear trend during the day was the large number of consultancy firms in attendance. Within environmental consultancy, urban development, geoscience and life sciences, there is strong demand for biological expertise.
Exhibitors included Bergab, Bjerking, Ekologigruppen, Geosyntec Consultants, NIRAS, Tyréns, WSP and Viken miljökonsult. In these organisations, biologists work with everything from environmental investigations and regulatory supervision to project management, sustainability issues and advanced analysis.
The life sciences sector was also represented by companies such as Pfizer, TFS HealthScience and Complyit. For biologists specialising in molecular biology, biochemistry or microbiology, there are opportunities in quality assurance, clinical research and pharmaceutical development.
The strong presence of consultancy firms reflects a labour market in which biologists often work on a project basis and in close collaboration with other professions – a trend also highlighted at previous alumni events. For those open to working across different assignments and environments, consultancy can offer both breadth and rapid professional development.
Public Authorities, Non-Profit Organisations and International Careers
In addition to the consultancy sector, several public authorities and organisations were present. The Geological Survey of Sweden, the County Administrative Board of Stockholm and the City of Stockholm Environment Department all demonstrated the need for biological expertise in regulatory work, environmental monitoring and urban planning.
For students interested in international careers, EU Careers was in attendance. Biologists are needed within EU institutions as policy officers, experts and advisers in areas such as climate, biodiversity, chemicals legislation and sustainable development. At a time of significant climate change, scientific expertise is crucial for informed political decision-making. There is also a particular demand for Swedish-speaking staff within various EU bodies.
Non-profit organisations such as Fältbiologerna and Hands2Ocean also participated, alongside student-oriented organisations including the Natural Science Association and Stockholm Young Faculty.
More Career Paths Than You Might Think
The day also highlighted the possibility of combining a scientific education with teaching. The Department of Subject Didactics provided information about pathways into the teaching profession – a career in which biologists play a vital role in strengthening future generations’ knowledge of nature, the environment and sustainability.
The central Study and Career Counselling Service presented the MyCareer portal and explained how students can find internships and employment opportunities both in Sweden and internationally. Building networks, applying for internships and proactively contacting employers were recurring pieces of advice – points we have also emphasised in previous articles about career opportunities for biologists.
A Labour Market in Need of Biologists
The message from both employers and union representatives was clear: scientific expertise is in demand. Climate transition, energy supply, biodiversity, health and sustainable societal development are all areas in which biologists have an essential role to play.
Career fair 2026 demonstrated that for today’s biology students, the key is not simply securing a first job, but recognising the breadth of opportunities available – from consultancy and public administration to research, international careers and teaching.
We would like to thank all exhibitors and students who participated and already look forward to next year’s meeting place between education and working life.
Read more about the Career fair 2026
Read our alumni’s advice for those considering a career in consultancy
Last updated: 2026-02-19
Source: Department of Biology Education