Healthcare Planning and Research Fellowship

Are you a recent or upcoming graduate with an interest in healthcare Would you like to have an impact on the future of healthcare helping to design and plan campuses and systems that change peoples lives

The transition from graduation to the design and planning world is an important step in your career so finding the right firm that focuses on helping you be successful is critical. Flad Architects has established tools practices and an environment that helps new graduates acclimate to this next chapter. From an advocate program; to variety in project duties and assignments; to collaboration with healthcare experts; to resources for achieving licensure and sustainability accreditations; to current technology; and more. Helping you develop and succeed is a priority for Flad.

This one-year immersive experience (beginning in June 2026) will allow you hands-on experience under the guidance of expert mentorship while collaborating with internal disciplines and external clients users and consultants.

For the 2026-2027 year the fellowship will be offered in either Madison WI or Tampa FL.

You can expect to:

• 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 Flads 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:
  • Masters degree in Architecture with a certification in Healthcare Design or a healthcare-related thesis.
  • Masters degree in Interior Design with a certification in Healthcare Design or a healthcare-related thesis.
  • Bachelors or Masters 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 application
• Provide two (2) Letters of Recommendation from faculty or design/research professionals
• Submit an essay (maximum two (2) pages) addressing the following:
  • Why are you applying for this fellowship How does this specific opportunity align with your career goals and research interests
  • How will this fellowship help you achieve your long-term career goals Where do you see yourself in five or ten years and how does this fellowship fit into that plan
  • Discuss potential research topics(s). What question or problem are you trying to address and how do you plan to approach it What methods will you use
  • What are the broader impacts of your research How does it contribute to the healthcare field society or the advancement of knowledge
  • What motivates you to pursue this research topic Share any personal experiences or inspirations that have led you to this path.
  • If applicable describe your prior research experiences. What did you learn and how have those experiences prepared you for this fellowship
  • What challenges have you encountered in your research and how did you overcome them
• Letters of Reference and Essays can be uploaded along with your application as portfolio documents. They may also be emailed to and marked as Healthcare Fellowship to supplement your online application.

Key Dates:

• Applications open - Monday October 20 2025
• Applications close - Monday January 5 2026
• Virtual Interviews - Mid-January 2026
• Fellowship announced - Early February 2026

Flad Architects:

Flad is a national architectural firm with ten offices across the country specializing in science healthcare academic and workplace spaces. A team of creative intelligent energetic people who help our clients tackle the issues that change peoples lives. If you enjoy solving complex challenges in a collaborative environment that celebrates each persons ideas experience and creativity this might be the opportunity for you.

Flad offers a wide range of benefits including:

• Health dental and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Financial health and wellness benefits - retirement savings plan; fiduciary advisor; identity theft plan; Section 125 flexible benefits; income protection life insurance short-term disability long-term disability; Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Continuing education and career development internal programs; funds set aside for external programs licensure and sustainability support annual professional registration and organization reimbursement

Flad Architects is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Flad will provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age protected veteran or disabled status or genetic information.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position please contact Human Resources at or email us at