Healthcare Planning and Research Fellowship

About the Role

This is a one-year, immersive Healthcare Planning and Research Fellowship experience, beginning in June 2027. It offers hands-on experience under the guidance of expert mentorship while collaborating with internal disciplines and external clients, users, and consultants. For the 2027-2028 year, the fellowship will be offered in either Tampa, FL, or Madison, WI.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the research, planning, and design of innovative healthcare environments for top-tier healthcare organizations, including academic medical centers and large community health systems.
• Receive exposure to inpatient and outpatient health care environments and workflows and innovative technologies used for healthcare planning and design.
• Be involved in client leadership and user group meetings, patient focus groups, public meetings, consultant coordination, and Owner/Architect/Contractor (OAC) meetings.
• Receive mentorship from multiple healthcare planning, design, research, and analytics leaders within Flad. Participate in quarterly check-ins with mentors to review progress, expectations, and goals.
• Collaborate across disciplines (internal and external) to develop holistic problem-solving.
• Focus 65% of your time on healthcare project work and dedicate 35% to research, with the opportunity to select both a primary design mentor and research mentor.
• Work on a year-long research study based on your interest and alignment with Flad’s strategic healthcare initiatives, which include:
• Technology and AI / Technology Integration
• Environments for Cancer Care, Orthopedics, Cardiology, Neurology
• Physician and Staff Experience (how the built environment influences staff experience and reduces burnout)
• Leveraging AI for Pre-design, Simulations, Modeling, and Design Research
• Baseline and Post-occupancy Evaluations
• Inpatient Unit and Patient Room Design Assessments
• Transition Planning
• Have opportunities to share knowledge through regular meetings, quarterly updates, and a final presentation and white paper.
• Attend two healthcare architectural conferences with registration, airfare, hotel, and meals covered by Flad.

Qualifications

• One of the following degrees are required:
• Master’s degree in Architecture with a certification in Healthcare Design or a healthcare-related thesis.
• Master’s degree in Interior Design with a certification in Healthcare Design or a healthcare-related thesis.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited university with completion of a Design and Health program/courses.
• Beginner Revit knowledge required.
• Experience with SketchUp and/or Rhino and 3D rendering software preferred.
• Previous internship experience preferred.
• Sustainability accreditation preferred.

How To Apply

• Complete Flad.com application.
• Submit an essay (maximum two (2) pages) addressing:
• Why you are applying for this fellowship and how the opportunity aligns with your career goals and research interests.
• How this fellowship will help you achieve your long-term career goals, and where you see yourself in five or ten years.
• Potential research topic(s), the question or problem you aim to address, your approach, methods, and broader impacts.
• Motivations for pursuing the research topic, including personal experiences or inspirations.
• Prior research experiences, lessons learned, and preparation for the fellowship.
• Challenges encountered in research and how they were overcome.
• Essays can be uploaded as portfolio documents with the application or emailed to humanresources@flad.com, marked as "Healthcare Fellowship."

Key Dates

• Applications open - Monday, October 19, 2026
• Applications close - Monday, January 4, 2027
• Virtual Interviews - Mid-Late January 2027
• Fellowship announced - Early February 2027