Research Professional 2 - Biomedical Engineering

Position Overview:

The Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center (BMDC) facilitates moving healthcare technology from idea to commercialization. Stakeholders from around the University including M Health Fairview clinicians, research faculty, research staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students come to BMDC for guidance and resources on solving healthcare needs. Some ideas are vague, some are well-formed, some are advanced, and some are in the early stages of development.

The work performed in this position will be for the award "Contactless Fall Monitoring Device and Dataset for Individual's with Alzheimer's Disease Memory Care Facilities." The overarching goal of this project is to design, develop, and validate a reliable and user-friendly RF-based medical device for use in memory care settings, with a focus on human-centered design and regulatory compliance.

This position is a hybrid working format. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Duties/Responsibilities: 100%

• Perform biomedical engineering tasks related to the design, testing, and optimization of research devices and data systems.
• Assist with developing, writing, and submitting IRB protocols and related documentation to ensure compliance with ethical research standards.
• Assist with conducting research activities within the BMDC and partnering memory care facilities, including participant interaction, data collection, and protocol adherence.
• Assist with analyzing and interpret research data, summarize findings, and prepare technical reports and presentations for dissemination to research teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with undergraduate engineering students and faculty to maintain high-quality standards in device performance and data integrity.
• Assist with ensuring that the developed devices and data analysis methods achieve a high level of sensitivity and specificity, contributing to the reliability and clinical relevance of the research outcomes.
• Support project coordination, troubleshooting, and documentation to facilitate ongoing development and future studies.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least two years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least six years
• Demonstrated proficiency in National Institutes of Health grant writing, including the development of Specific Aims and Research Strategy sections and effective collaboration within interdisciplinary teams. Applicants should provide an example of a completed grant proposal in their submission
• Relevant publication history in Alzheimer's-related technologies. Please include a link to your ORCiD profile
• Expertise in FDA regulatory strategies for digital health and medical devices, including navigating premarket pathways such as 510(k) clearances, De Novo classifications, and Premarket Approvals (PMA), ensuring compliance with regulations like 21 CFR Parts 11 and 820, and incorporating risk management, cybersecurity, and clinical evaluation requirements for software as a medical device (SaMD) and AI-enabled technologies
• A minimum of five years of experience in innovation and entrepreneurship within the medical devices industry with dilutive and non-dilutive startup funding strategies
• Experience in Python programming and machine learning and a track record of developing and deploying ML models in real-world applications
• In-depth knowledge of embedded systems, including proficiency in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, with hands-on experience in system integration, simulation environments, and validation techniques for real-time applications
• Demonstrated leadership in cloud engineering and architecture design initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiar with U of MN policies and procedures
• Experience with IRB
• Experience with ISO 13485 standards
• Knowledge of multi-sensor fusion techniques, including integration of data from diverse sensors
• Two years of Biodesign and clinical observerships in a graduate engineering program
• Proficiency in algorithm design leveraging linear algebraic methods
• Proven experience applying LEAN methodologies to rapid prototyping in medical devices
• Familiarity with root cause analysis, continuous improvement processes, and healthcare market analysis to drive innovation in digital health solutions.

The Bakken Medical Devices Center (BMDC), a unit of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine and part of the College of Science and Engineering and the Medical School, facilitates moving novel medical technologies from ideas to commercialization. BMDC research and development projects originate from clinical faculty with ideas for a new medical device, or from engineering faculty with a new technology, or both.

Pay Range: $20-$23.77 hourly ($41,600-$49,440 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment, 12/1/2025-11/30/2026

Work Location: Hybrid. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).