Join our lab as a research fellow

What we do

• Build helpful assistants, not hype. We ship AI virtual assistants, agentic AI and avatars that give patients clear, context aware answers after surgery and cut down inbox overload for care teams.
• Make LLMs behave. We ground models in trusted sources, stress test with structured red teaming, and check fairness and transparency—so results are safe enough for real clinical use.
• Back up clinicians at the point of care. Our CDSS prototypes surface evidence, show their reasoning, and know when to say “not enough info”—validated with anonymized/synthetic data to protect privacy.
• Ship fast, test hard, iterate. We run tight build‑measure‑learn loops with real workflow feedback from clinical teams, and we keep refining until it’s ready to deploy.

Back to top

Lab culture & values

• Patient‑first mindset. Everything we build aligns with Mayo Clinic’s core value: the needs of the patient come first—prioritizing safety, access, and experience.
• Scientific rigor. Methods are reproducible, clinically relevant, and evidence‑based; results are transparent and publishable.
• Ethical AI by design. We proactively address bias, fairness, and explainability, and we stress‑test systems before clinical use.
• Clinician support. AI augments—not replaces—clinical expertise, reducing cognitive load and helping prevent burnout.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration. Physicians, computer scientists, engineers, and ML practitioners work side‑by‑side; respectful teamwork and professionalism are expected and rewarded.
• Continuous learning. We iterate fast, share knowledge openly, and adapt to new methods and emerging clinical needs.
• Implementation focus. Research milestones tie to deployment pathways, usability with care teams, and measurable impact on patient outcomes.

Back to top

Mayo Clinic: a life‑changing environment

Welcome to a life‑changing experience. Pride in where we work—and what we do—is a common trait here. Mayo Clinic is top‑ranked in more specialties than any other care provider (U.S. News & World Report).

Careers that change lives. Guided by our founders’ vision, “The needs of the patient come first,” you’ll find teamwork, professionalism, mutual respect—and a truly life‑changing career.

Changing lives for 150+ years. Founded by Drs. William and Charles Mayo, Mayo Clinic is now the largest integrated, not‑for‑profit medical group practice in the world, still driven by that single guiding value.

Back to top

Life in Jacksonville & Ponte Vedra

Two vibes, one coast: big‑city variety in Jacksonville and upscale tranquility in Ponte Vedra Beach—with Florida’s mild winters and no state income tax.

Jacksonville Highlights

• Beaches & waterways. Miles of coastline—Jax Beach, Atlantic Beach—plus surf‑friendly Hanna Park and riverfront strolls on the North/Southbank Riverwalk.
• Culture & arts. The Jacksonville Zoo, Cummer Museum, Riverside Arts Market, Kingsley Plantation, and a diverse food scene (fresh seafood, global eats).
• Economy & education. Growing finance, healthcare (Mayo Clinic), and hospitality sectors; top‑rated public schools and universities like University of North Florida.
• Lifestyle. More neighborhoods, generally more affordable than PV, and plenty of outdoor recreation—from surfing to paddle trails.

Ponte Vedra Beach Highlights

• Luxury & golf. Home of TPC Sawgrass and world‑class resorts, spas, and clubs.
• Beaches & nature. Pristine dunes, Mickler’s Landing, and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM) for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife.
• Education. Some of Florida’s best public and private schools.
• Dining & shopping. Gourmet favorites (Medure, Palm Valley Fish Camp), farmers’ markets, and upscale boutiques.
• Lifestyle. Slower pace, quiet luxury, and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts (tennis, boating).

Back to top

How to apply

We accept rolling applications and tailor requirements to each candidate’s background. All roles are on‑site only—you must relocate to Jacksonville, Florida; remote work is not available. Initial appointments are unpaid with a minimum one‑year commitment; if we are awarded grants, there may be an opportunity to convert to a paid position.

Submit your materials

Email your application in a single PDF to forte.antonio@mayo.edu with the subject line: “Surgery AI Lab Application – [Your Name] – [Track]”. Include:

• CV (required for all tracks). Address relevant AI/ML, clinical, or software experience and any publications.
• Track‑specific items (see below).

Track‑specific requirements

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics or Statistics (Masters students, PhD students, or PhD graduates)

• CV (include links to GitHub, papers, and notable projects).

Medical Students (research year applicants)

• Must be interested in pursuing Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency.
• Coordinate with your medical school to take a year off for a full‑time research year.
• Must have completed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK before your start date.
• Send CV + Step 1 and Step 2CK scores (completion of both exams prior to joining is non‑negotiable).

Medical Doctors or international equivalents

• Must be interested in pursuing Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency.
• Must have completed Step 1 and Step 2CK.
• Ability to code in Python and experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is desirable.
• Send CV + Step 1 and Step 2CK scores (completion of both exams prior to joining is non‑negotiable).

Selection & interview

• Applications are screened for track fit and readiness for our computer‑science lab focus (Python/GCP, LLM/RAG exposure, clinical workflow awareness).
• Selected candidates will interview with our current research fellows to assess mutual fit—and to give you space to ask questions and address any concerns. (We commonly start with live video interviews.)

Back to top

Helpful resources

Back to top