RESEARCH FELLOW

at  University of Michigan

JOB SUMMARY

This is a mentored post-doctoral position for a new investigator on a career development path directed toward establishing an independent research program. The incumbent will perform engineering tasks as a member of multidisciplinary research and development teams designing and investigating new medical devices and restorative technologies, particularly artificial lung technologies, and provide high level engineering support. The incumbent will additionally pursue pilot work in support of original work of his/her own design. Responsibilities include participation in research meetings and other activities associated with being affiliated with a medical device research laboratory including: 1) Design, modeling, construction, documentation and testing of state-of-the-art designs of medical devices, primarily artificial organs, for biomedical applications involving rehabilitation and medical treatment of diseases or dysfunctions common in the Veteran population. The incumbent must be able to use sophisticated design, simulation and fabrication facilities and resources available and seek access to new design, development, processing and testing capabilities as appropriate. 2) Providing technical guidance to, and working collaboratively with engineers, scientists, physicians, engineering and medical students and residents, and technical staff or technicians associated with the University of Michigan or collaborating institutions (e.g. VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System). 3) Clearly documenting and presenting work in laboratory notebooks, shared documents, and through laboratory and scientific research meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS*

• Requires a doctoral degree in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, material science or related field and 3 years related experience. Knowledge should be demonstrated in the areas of design and fabrication of medical devices, mechanics of materials, biomaterials, blood-material interactions, 3D printing, computer aided design, and/or in vitro/in vivo evaluation of medical devices.
• Knowledge and ability to apply the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the engineering profession and ability to keep abreast of changes in technology and utilize the most current information to engineer solutions to technical problems.
• Ability to collect, analyze and summarize data and trends.
• Skill to effectively communicate highly technical information both orally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals including non-technical system users, clinicians and therapists.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret and apply relevant codes, regulations, guidelines and standards associated with development, testing, documentation and deployment of medical technology.
• Ability to analyze and resolve organizational problems and develop timely and economical solutions.

• Independently plan, analyze, simulate, design, and develop engineering solutions, and conduct experiments.
• Fully document, test and validate design and performance according to standard design control and quality system practices.
• Collate, combine, and present experimental data in a clear and concise manner. Use appropriate statistical methods to generate conclusions based on data.
• Assist in preparing and writing technical reports, peer-reviewed conference and journal publications; and, present results at local and national engineering, scientific and medical meetings.
• Assist in the preparation of research proposals for the VA and outside agencies such as NIH, NSF, NIDRR and NASA.
• Assist in typical laboratory management activities including equipment management, chemical inventory management, supply ordering, and personnel management.
• Performs other duties as assigned or in pursue original research ideas.