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2026.05.25
From research to real solutions – meet Peter, who works in the TIC industry
After years in research and academia, Peter Eriksson found his way into the TIC industry – almost by accident. Today he works to help clients understand complex analyses, formulate the right questions and make informed decisions. For him, the job is as much about people and communication as it is about technology and materials.
How did you end up where you are today and what does your work entail?
I have a Master of Science in Engineering Biology and a PhD in Applied Physics. This has given me a broad scientific background and a keen interest in how materials actually behave in real life.
Today I work at Element, a laboratory-based testing partner for companies operating in the world's most highly regulated industries. Much of my work is about understanding both the theory behind materials and the practical possibilities and limitations of different testing and analysis methods – and perhaps most importantly, being able to explain it in a clear and educational way.
During my six years at Element, I have had several different roles, but almost all the time I have worked on the border between our customers and our analyses. A large part of the work is about understanding the customer's needs and formulating the right questions, so that the analyses can actually provide relevant answers.
Another important part is interpreting and explaining the results, so that customers understand what they mean in practice.
The last two years I have had a more coordinating role, where I project lead a coordination group for our various material areas. The work there is largely about creating collaborations between the areas and ensuring the right expertise for customers, so that we can offer better overall solutions.
What attracted you to the TIC industry?
To be honest, I fell into the TIC industry a bit by accident, when I took over a job at Element from a former colleague from university. I quickly became aware of what quality actually means when it comes to analytical results – something I wish I had understood even earlier.
What made me stay is that the work is so realistic. You can clearly see the benefit the work brings to the customer and that there is actually a need for what you do.
How does your work contribute to a safer and more sustainable society?
Many of our customers have societal functions, and in order for them to make well-founded and sometimes critical decisions, reliable analyses of the right quality are required. Being able to support them with independent data in these contexts is both a great responsibility and very meaningful.
What do you think people might misunderstand about the industry?
I think many people underestimate how important the entire analysis chain is – from the initial question to the finished report. An analysis is really of no value if it is not adapted to the question you want to answer, and wrong conclusions can have major consequences.
As an independent partner, we therefore work to ensure quality throughout the entire process, so that the analyses provide reliable and relevant answers.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting in the TIC industry?
I would say that the TIC industry is very concrete and developing. You get to use your knowledge to solve real problems and meet real customer needs. In addition, you often get quick and clear feedback on your work, which is both motivating and contributes a lot to your own personal and professional development.
