MedTrainPlus · MedTrain+: Postdoctoral Career Development and Mobility Fellowships in Medical Device Research Evolving the CÚRAM Industry-Academia Training Initiative

MedTrain+: Postdoctoral Career Development and Mobility Fellowships in Medical Device Research Evolving the CÚRAM Industry-Academia Training Initiative

Project Context, Objectives, and Pathway to Impact Ireland hosts nine of the top ten medtech companies and has Europe's highest medtech employment per capita. This ecosystem of industry, research centres, and clinical institutions drives health innovation and Ireland's economy. The medtech industry faces challenges in adapting AI, biomaterials, and digital health innovations, with a widening R&D skills gap. Healthcare systems face pressure from ageing populations, chronic diseases, and demand for personalised care. Meeting these challenges requires innovation and researchers who can work across disciplines, understand regulations, and address societal and ethical aspects. Traditional training models cannot meet these requirements. In response, MedTrain+ was launched as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND Fellowship Programme at CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at the University of Galway. For more details, please visit the website https://curamdevices.ie/research/training-networks/medtrain/. The programme has recruited postdoctoral researchers through a competitive process aligned with Ireland's National Research Priorities, the EU's Horizon Europe and MSCA frameworks, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (3, 4, 8, 9, 17). MedTrain+ Objectives and Structure MedTrain+ guides fellows in defining their research paths and selecting study areas, supervisors, and industry partners. Research focuses on CÚRAM's pillars: soft tissue, cardiovascular-renal-metabolic (CRM), neural and musculoskeletal (N&M), and translational research. The key themes included regenerative medicine, drug delivery, biomaterials, and AI-driven digital health solutions. The programme delivers training through Personal Career Development Plans (PCDPs), integrating: • Scientific and technical skills • Transferable skills (Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), entrepreneurship, communication) • Industrial exposure via secondments • Training in ethics, data governance, and public engagement • Inclusivity and sustainability via Green Lab practices and targeted Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) outreach Pathway to Impact 1. Researcher-Level Impact Fellows gain interdisciplinary experience and position themselves as future medtech leaders. MedTrain+ addresses skill shortages by developing innovative researchers. 2. Institutional and National Impacts MedTrain+ strengthens Ireland's research capacity and contributes to regional innovation strategies. The programme reinforces Ireland's position as a medtech R&D hub. 3. Industry and Innovation Impact This is achieved through secondments and medtech innovation training. Research outputs support licencing and joint ventures, thereby enhancing Ireland's innovation ecosystem. 4. Societal Impact and Public Engagement Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), ethics, and science communication training ensure research relevance and accessibility. Fellows engage with patients, schools, and policymakers to build public trust and inspire STEM talent. 5. European and Global Impacts MedTrain+ promotes researcher mobility and cross-sector collaboration, thereby advancing Europe's health innovation leadership. The programme supports key EU priorities, including: • Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme (AI-health integration) • EU Pact for Skills (health innovation upskilling) • European Green Deal (sustainable research practices) Role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) MedTrain+ integrates Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) through research projects on health systems and healthcare digitalisation. A health economics project contributes to the development of innovative medical devices, with SSH insights analysing medical reimbursement pathways to facilitate market access and enhance societal impact. Another project focuses on developing advanced alternative testing models for stroke research, promoting ethical practices by reducing animal testing in accordance with the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).

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