BMDC Lab Assistant and Researcher

Position Overview

The Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center 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, some are in the early stages of development.

This position is based on campus. 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

50%: Lab Operations & Maintenance Duties

• Installing, maintaining and improving BMDC makerspace equipment and resources.
• Fixing broken equipment, improving training materials, track training, and verbal assistance for users, providing advice for new or replacement equipment, and other functions needed to ensure that the BMDC research space provides value to its users.
• Training clients and students on fabrication equipment in the BMDC makerspace.
• Representing the BMDC to the public during tours and presentations.
• Oversee stock, supplies, and general up-keep across BMDC lab spaces.
• Participate in lab groups and management meetings.
• Coordinate the BMDC waste disposal processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve lab organization, efficiency, and culture

50%: Lab End User/Customer Support Duties

• Responsible for working on a variety of research projects.
• Responsible for guiding and providing resources in order to bring the device ideas to reality.
• Designing and evaluating feasibility prototypes, creating prototypes using various makerspace equipment and software, working with project leads, working with student groups, participating in research group meetings, and managing research project data (i.e. written, web based, spreadsheets, etc).
• Research projects will also require engineering design, prototype testing and evaluation, hardware and software development, pre-clinical study data collection, clinical study data collection, data analysis, attending project meetings, and report writing.
• Assist with user studies under established procedures and guidelines.
• Help monitor and train undergraduate student workers.

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years in the areas of mechanical engineering or electrical engineering
• Experience with typical machining tools; laser cutter, CNC, band saw, drill press, lathe, injection molder, extrusion, etc.
• Experience with FDM and SLA 3D printers.
• Well-versed in CAD (e.g. SolidWorks) and computer programming (e.g. MLab)
• Knowledge of the properties of common materials used in medical devices (e.g. nitinol, stainless steel, plastics)
• Knowledge of common healthcare device manufacturing processes
• Knowledgeable about human anatomy
• Must be available to work 40 hours per week on an agreed upon schedule.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• HIPAA Training (can be performed after hire date)
• Project management experience

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: $20.87 -$21.00 per hour ($43,409.60 - $43,680 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Work Location: In Person

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).