Research Scientist Intern

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Primary Function of Position

This position reports to the Vice President, Scientific Medical Officer, and requires a candidate with a strong interest and skills in biomedical and health informatics research. This position will focus on research and evidence-generation activities to support the performance and impact of digital solutions within the Intuitive robotics ecosystem, including surgical simulation, telepresence, and Case Insights. Research activities may include robotic surgery system data analyses, prospective studies led by Intuitive teams, and investigator-initiated studies done in collaboration with external partners.

Essential Job Duties

This position has responsibility and authority for the following:

• Contribute to the design and execution of research studies and evidence-generation activities including the creation of experimental goals and methods, budgeting, investigator selection, participant recruitment, preparation of research-related documents (e.g., protocols, case report forms, informed consents, research agreements), and management of Institutional Review Board and / or Ethics Committee submissions with follow through to ensure a successful outcome(s)
• Work with product teams, research management professionals, data management professionals and statisticians, and internal and external collaborators as needed for assigned projects
• Maintain study documentation (e.g., correspondence, documentation required by the U.S Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), deviations, budget information)
• Plan and manage the project timelines to ensure research studies and evidence-generation activities are conducted in a timely manner and within the project budget
• Prepare project status updates and presentations for reporting to internal and external stakeholders, such as internal and external steering or advisory committees
• Ensure compliance with corporate (e.g., SOPs) and regulatory requirements (e.g., GCP and US and international guidelines)
• Contribute to evidence-dissemination strategies to share relevant evidence in scientific and health technology forums, to inform product design and development, and to support commercial success
• Lead the development, submission, and revision (e.g., in response to peer review) of scientific evidence-generation work products, including abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and presentations to clinical and technical audiences, in both peer-reviewed scientific forums and industry trade shows
• Partner with marketing, communication, and design professionals to support the creation of commercial evidence-generation work products, including visual abstracts, marketing materials, commercial training and education materials, and executive summaries and presentations
• Build, nurture, and maintain relationships with external research partners and stakeholders, including, but not limited to surgeon and education key opinion leaders, operating room staff, hospital and health system administrative and technology leaders, surgical and scientific professional society leaders, and healthcare technology industry partners

Required Skills and Experience 

University Hiring Program Eligibility Requirements:

• University Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in and returning to an accredited degree-seeking academic program after the internship.
• Internship Work Period: Must be available to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) during a 10-12 week period starting May or June. Specific start dates are shared during the recruiting process.
• Desired expected graduation date of December 2027 or later.

• Experience in the design and execution of research studies with experience in academic/hospital and/or industry settings
• Knowledge of applicable clinical research regulations and guidelines
• Experience in the design of health-related research studies and the creation of research protocols and research regulatory documentation
• Ability to collaborate with and/or manage research coordinators, program managers, or other research staff in the execution of research studies
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams and maintain communication with key stakeholders
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with the ability to analyze data and the scientific literature
• Experience in reviewing and analyzing qualitative and quantitative research data
• Comfortable in a hospital/surgical environment
• Ability to travel from 25% up to 50% of the time

Required Education and Training 

• Current enrollment in a scientific field degree-seeking program at the Master’s or Doctorate level; medicine, health informatics, data science, or computer science program enrollment preferred
• Training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), human subjects research, and informed consent

Working Conditions 

• Ability to work in a healthcare and surgical environment, including human or animal laboratories

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with research studies of digital products and health information technologies including those leveraging artificial intelligence
• Experience with research studies involving educational technologies such as simulation and virtual reality
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate verbally and in technical or scientific writing
• Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to learn quickly and self-educate on different surgical specialties as applicable to medical products and procedures (Self-starter attitude)
• Dedication or strong work ethic to help meet aggressive timelines or multiple projects when necessary

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay (paid at an hourly rate), benefits, and a housing allowance. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including relevant skills and experience for this internship, degree-seeking academic program (PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s, etc), year in school, and location. The hourly rate is prorated against the intern program salaries listed and total program compensation will be based on internship duration.