Working in a research Hospital
Working in a research Hospital
(OP)
Hi Everyone,
I have an offer on the table to work as a medical device designer in a large university research hospital affiliated with my alma mater. The job came to me through my network of personal contacts.
Background:
I'm a recent grad, and the job is well suited for my level of experience. They're looking for someone to help bring the product of other peoples' PhD research to market, so I would be doing mechanical design, analysis and testing of this and potentially other medical devices. Ultimately, this would lead to clinical trials. I would also be working under a senior engineer, who is also in the process of being hired but presumably has experience in the medical device field. It should also be noted that I did not study biomedical engineering at all in university. Instead, I pursued courses in mechatronics and solid mechanics.
So now I'm wondering if anyone has worked as an engineer in a research hospital environment.
I've been advised by others that engineering positions in hospitals, even research hospitals, are always of a "serviceman" nature to the medical community, and that there is little, if any, room to move up in such an environment. (The people who gave me this advice have an obvious bias in my eyes, as I'm also considering another potential offer)
The job definitely sounds promising to me. I do like the potential in bringing people's research to market in the medical community, and I feel like I could be carving a niche for myself by doing this. But the concerns of others are weighing on my mind, and I'd like to see if I can get some more opinions on the matter.
Can anyone offer any advice/suggestions/comments about the type of work that a research hospital can offer a graduating mechanical engineer?
Thanks in advance!
I have an offer on the table to work as a medical device designer in a large university research hospital affiliated with my alma mater. The job came to me through my network of personal contacts.
Background:
I'm a recent grad, and the job is well suited for my level of experience. They're looking for someone to help bring the product of other peoples' PhD research to market, so I would be doing mechanical design, analysis and testing of this and potentially other medical devices. Ultimately, this would lead to clinical trials. I would also be working under a senior engineer, who is also in the process of being hired but presumably has experience in the medical device field. It should also be noted that I did not study biomedical engineering at all in university. Instead, I pursued courses in mechatronics and solid mechanics.
So now I'm wondering if anyone has worked as an engineer in a research hospital environment.
I've been advised by others that engineering positions in hospitals, even research hospitals, are always of a "serviceman" nature to the medical community, and that there is little, if any, room to move up in such an environment. (The people who gave me this advice have an obvious bias in my eyes, as I'm also considering another potential offer)
The job definitely sounds promising to me. I do like the potential in bringing people's research to market in the medical community, and I feel like I could be carving a niche for myself by doing this. But the concerns of others are weighing on my mind, and I'd like to see if I can get some more opinions on the matter.
Can anyone offer any advice/suggestions/comments about the type of work that a research hospital can offer a graduating mechanical engineer?
Thanks in advance!





RE: Working in a research Hospital
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
RE: Working in a research Hospital
RE: Working in a research Hospital
Good luck with your decision.
RE: Working in a research Hospital
The constraints regarding product testing, safety and materials etc will be quite an education in itself, then you have the issues of trying to establish working relationships with people who may not have technical backgrounds (but then you will need to learn some medical stuff too) and then you have issues of intellectual property that you may need to establish...never mind the actual technical aspects of prototyping and manufacturing!
As a first position i wouldn't necessarily concern myself about moving up - get a good grounding and then if you feel that you are not being advanced enough look for another similar role in a different research hospital but go for a more senior role! Sometimes the best way to advance is to move - plus it stops things getting all SSDD
Good luck, HM
No more things should be presumed to exist than are absolutely necessary - William of Occam
RE: Working in a research Hospital
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Working in a research Hospital
It sounds very interesting, you don't give any detail of your other offer but this one sounds interesting enough to seriously consider.
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Working in a research Hospital
It's also a good time in your life to learn how to deal with colossal egos. PhDs and MDs, and especially people who have both, tend to think of engineers as tradesmen. Do not be offended; it's just their world view. You need only remember this, and you'll be fine:
God is second in their pecking order.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Working in a research Hospital
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Working in a research Hospital
On the serious side, bio-mechanical engineering is a great field. I'm currently in DME (Durable medical equipment) design, and occasionally work with a BME in accessory design. It's a humbling field, in which you do get the opportunity to directly influence the quality of life for people. And, it pays well.
RE: Working in a research Hospital
Good Luck
Mark Hutton