Looking back at the 360 CARLA Health Careers Symposium in Brussels

The second edition of the 360 CARLA Health, Biotech & Medical Photonics Symposium took place on 29 April 2026 at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, organised by VUB B-PHOT in collaboration with the B-PHOT Student Chapter. The event welcomed 65 participants attending in person and online from more than seven countries, combining career-oriented sessions, technical presentations and an industry showcase, and closing with a networking session and job fair.

The programme covered Health in Academia, Master Your Future in Photonics, Health in the Dutch Ecosystem and Health in Industry, featuring 15 speakers and 4 moderators. PhotonJobs provided strong support through sponsorship, three speakers and a dedicated session on career opportunities in the Dutch photonics ecosystem, while the B-PHOT Student Chapter, backed by an Optica Special Grant, supported student participation and event logistics.

Participants came from a broad range of academic stages and backgrounds, with 72% from disciplines other than physics, including bioengineering, computer science and biology, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the Health vertical. This year’s edition also attracted a notably high number of bachelor’s students, giving them early exposure to both academic and industry career paths.

Feedback was highly positive, with participants rating the event 4.81/5 in person and speakers giving it a perfect 5/5. All respondents said they would recommend CARLA to a friend, 83% reported improved networking and knowledge of opportunities, and 77% felt more industry-ready afterwards. One participant praised the “diverse set of topics and engaging presenters”, while a speaker highlighted how the event was “organized and coordinated in an excellent way”.

A sincere thank you to all speakers, moderators and participants, and to PhotonJobs, OPTICA and the B-PHOT Student Chapter for their support.