Make a difference in people’s lives every day. When you join UCLA Health, you’ll be working at an institution that provides leading-edge care to the people of L.A. and throughout the world. We provide our team members with the environment and support to do amazing work, because each and every one of them plays a vital role in our commitment to care.
Help shape the future of healthcare innovation.
The UCLA Biodesign Discovery Fellowship is a highly immersive, year-long program designed for accomplished professionals in medicine, nursing, engineering, design, business, and related fields who are passionate about solving meaningful healthcare challenges. Beginning in September 2027, Fellows will join UCLA Health, one of the nation’s leading academic health systems, to identify and develop transformative medical technologies that improve patient care.
As a Discovery Fellow, you will collaborate within a multidisciplinary team of innovators, clinicians, engineers, and entrepreneurs to uncover unmet clinical needs and translate them into impactful solutions. Through direct mentorship from faculty at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and industry leaders across the medtech ecosystem, you will gain hands-on experience with proven methodologies in clinical innovation, product development, and healthcare entrepreneurship.
The fellowship begins with an intensive innovation bootcamp, followed by approximately two months of clinical immersion across UCLA Health settings. During this phase, Fellows observe firsthand the realities of patient care, identify critical healthcare challenges, and evaluate opportunities for innovation. The remainder of the program focuses on needs validation, concept development, prototyping, and early commercialization strategy with guidance from experienced mentors and subject matter experts.
Fellows gain access to UCLA’s robust innovation infrastructure, including:
- Clinical and healthcare operations experts
- Health IT resources and data science support
- Advanced prototyping and fabrication facilities
- Bench-top testing capabilities
- Patient simulation environments
- UCLA’s extensive entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem
UCLA is consistently recognized as one of the world’s leading universities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup creation. The Biodesign Discovery Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business while building solutions with the potential to transform lives.
If you are energized by complex challenges, driven by innovation, and motivated to create meaningful impact in healthcare, we encourage you to apply.
Learn more: biodesign.ucla.edu
Compensation: $74,445 – $152,460 annually
Appointment: One-year limited-term fellowship with potential pathways to extended opportunities
Application Deadline: October 16, 2026
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Design, Business, Nursing, Medicine, or a related field (e.g., MS, PhD, MBA, MSN, MD) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated interest in healthcare innovation, technology development, entrepreneurship, or product commercialization.
- Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in product development, software development, medical technology, product design, engineering, or related industries.
- Demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative, including startup, innovation, research commercialization, or new product development experience.
- Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Passion for improving patient outcomes through technology and innovation.
EMPLOYMENT SCAM ALERT:
UCLA Health Recruitment is currently being targeted by scam artists through external job board sites. Review some tips in order to avoid becoming targeted. El reclutamiento de salud de UCLA actualmente está siendo atacado por estafadores a través de sitios de juntas de trabajo externos. Revisar algunos consejos para evitar ser apuntado.
“The environment is nurturing and fosters growth. When I come to work, I know what I'm doing matters.”
VINCENT, Sr. CLS Specialist, Toxicology
MONICA
I've been blessed to touch so many lives through my serving. It's a privilege to uplift other employees with words of encouragement and a smile.
SOZIT
The first thing i noticed when i joined the team was how everyone is very welcoming and friendly with supportive management. I did not feel like an outsider.
EDGAR
Once I joined, I knew UCLA Health was THE place to be due to the growth potential and training offered
RENE
If you want to grow professionally, this is the right place for you.
ERA
We are family here. We support each other. We collect together.
ELIZABETH
It’s so diverse and inclusive here. There’s always the opportunity to share your thoughts. It's a place where you feel you belong.
JERRY
Your career path at UCLA Health will enable you to follow a myriad of avenues and turns. It opens up a wide variety of opportunities.
ORLANDO
There’s a togetherness and higher level of commitment to teamwork at UCLA Health. We are several groups and teams that work together with a common goal which is to improve our patients experience.
KATHERINE
UCLA Health is a supportive, collaborative, and purposeful environment where leadership is invested in your growth and creating real opportunities. And knowing that what we do matters gives a real sense of purpose.
DR. ISLA GARRAWAY
UCLA has incredible resources and a team science approach. The ability to work with collaborative teams and access the amazing resources around campus is the best part about being at UCLA.
RADU
UCLA is very diverse in its personnel as well as its many research fields studied
JENNA
UCLA Health provides so many opportunities to exchange ideas, share moments and grow. I have learned a lot about team management and relationship building.
SHARON
I was looking for a job to further my career and continue to improve and learn as a therapist.
TARO
I have been blessed to be surrounded by supportive colleagues who aspire me to be the best version of myself.
Awards & recognition
