R&D Scientist - Experimental Internship

About the role

Hepta Medical, a 10-person medtech startup developing a thermal ablation device for early-stage lung cancer, is expanding its team to launch its first clinical cases and run clinical trials in the United States under the Early Feasibility Study regulatory pathway. It is looking for an R&D Scientist - Experimental intern with a strong interest in hands-on experimental work to support the next stages of its medical device development.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out experimental activities and laboratory work, mostly in a lab setting: executing protocols, testing and performing manipulations.
• Verification tests (45%): apply established test protocols in the lab and help set up protocols occasionally.
• Prototype optimization and data analysis (30%): after the first catheter version, help optimize the prototype to be more flexible and robust, able to navigate pulmonary bronchial pathways and improve real-time ablation control; take part in testing and support design and validation with manufacturers; analyze data, including datasets in Python.
• Bench testing for preclinical preparation (20%): prepare and run preclinical tests in a hospital environment following medical device regulations, plus other lab manipulations.
• Scientific literature review (5%): compare experimental results with published data to align with the current state of the art.

Required profile

• Currently pursuing an engineering degree (Bac +4/5).
• Prior laboratory experience involving hands-on manipulations.
• Curiosity about experimental work and data analysis, with strong documentation skills.
• Excellent English (C1+, written and spoken); French is a plus.
• Strong adaptability, communication and analytical skills.

Required skills

• Solid Python skills, writing clean and reliable code.
• Knowledge of MATLAB, 3D Slicer, COMSOL, Autodesk or SQL is a plus.

What we offer

• A young, dynamic environment in DocCity, home to several medtech and biotech startups.
• Guidance from an engineer during the first week of onboarding, covering tools and processes.
• The chance to contribute to an innovative, high-impact project.

Recruitment process: a 30-minute phone screening with a recruiter, a 1-hour interview with the R&D engineer mentor, a 2-hour Python test at home, and a final interview with the CTO or another person and the mentor, onsite if possible.