Closing the MedTech Skills Gap: Conversation with Prof. David Grayden (BioDesign, Startup, MedTech)

Closing the MedTech Skills Gap: Conversation with Prof. David Grayden (BioDesign, AI, Startups & Future of MedTech)

In this episode, Dr. Hossein Mokhtarzadeh sits down with Professor David Grayden, Clifford Chair of Neural Engineering at the University of Melbourne and co-chair of the Victorian MedTech Skills and Device Hub.

We unpack how the hub is tackling Australia’s MedTech skills gap, why regulatory and technical training matters more than ever, and how the BioDesign Innovation Program transforms clinical needs into real-world MedTech startups.

We also discuss:

The top skills shortages in Victoria and Australia
AI’s growing role in MedTech
Why MedTech startups succeed or fail
New training pathways, including the upcoming Master of Medical Technology Innovation

If you're a student, researcher, entrepreneur, or working in MedTech, this conversation is packed with insights.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
00:08 – Guest intro: Prof. David Grayden
00:35 – What problem led to creating the MedTech Skills & Device Hub?
01:08 – Skills gaps in Victoria’s MedTech ecosystem
02:00 – Lessons learned from COVID-19
02:57 – Why MedTech needs multidisciplinary expertise
03:45 – Regulatory frameworks & manufacturing challenges
04:40 – Training, short courses & university partnerships
05:30 – Intellectual property & reimbursement in MedTech
06:39 – Top skills shortages in Australia (AI, technicians, cleanroom skills)
07:58 – Importance of vocational pathways (TAFE)
09:01 – Regulation & IP in MedTech careers
09:20 – Overview of the BioDesign Innovation Program
10:40 – Need-first vs. technology-first innovation
13:00 – BioDesign startup successes (Navi Medical, LuneXa, etc.)
14:30 – Why some startups fail
16:00 – Reaching high school students & hackathons
17:44 – NEW Master of Medical Technology Innovation
19:00 – The future of jobs with AI
21:02 – Automation vs. human skill in MedTech
22:14 – How to get involved with the Victorian MedTech Hub
23:30 – Closing remarks

https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profil...
https://vicmedtechhub.com.au/
https://biodesignmelbourne.com/
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