Biomedical engineer : Employers and vacancy sources

Employers include hospital trusts, medical equipment manufacturers, university research departments, other research units and rehabilitation or health charities.

Hospitals employ engineers to oversee the deployment, maintenance and safety of high-tech equipment of all kinds used in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Some equipment is dispersed around GP surgeries and patients’ homes. Rehabilitation units exist in larger hospitals, where engineers play an important role in providing customised solutions to patients’ needs for prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and a range of assistive technology.

Other employers include research organisations. Well-known research units include Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME)  and Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB) . The Medical Engineering Resource Unit (MERU)   designs and produces bespoke devices for individual children with disabilities, where no commercial alternatives exist.

In the private sector, there is a need for engineers in companies that research and manufacture medical products, such as artificial heart valves, replacement joints and monitoring equipment. Some private sector manufacturers operate internationally and may offer scope to work in Europe and beyond.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• New Scientist Jobs   
• NHS Clinical Scientists Recruitment Scheme  for NHS Grade A training posts (England and Wales).
• Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)   

Hospital trusts generally advertise on their own websites as well as in the press. For opportunities in the commercial healthcare field, you should research employers using contacts, directories and journals. If you are currently studying engineering or a relevant degree, look for opportunities in the information resources of your careers service.

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