FDA Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Genome Engineering

Organization
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Reference Code
FDA-CBER-2020-0018
How to Apply

A complete application consists of:      

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CBER@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

Application Deadline
2/24/2021 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is currently available in the Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies (OTAT), at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The goal of this project is to perform research and receive training on cell engineering with an emphasis on genome editing in human stem cells. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in research projects aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of novel genome editing technologies for gene therapy, as well as to develop new therapeutic approaches. By precise genome editing, the projects also aim to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms in development and diseases, such as in the immune and hematopoietic systems.

The participant will receive mentoring on project design and execution, as well as training in specific techniques used in genome editing, stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Opportunities will also be provided to the participant to present and discuss research projects within the agency and in national research conferences.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 1, 2020

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and FDA. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at FDA in the Silver Spring, Maryland, area. Participants do not become employees of FDA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at FDA.  OPM can complete a background investigation only for individuals, including non-US Citizens, who have resided in the US for a total of three of the past five years.

FDA requires ORISE participants to read and sign their FDA Education and Training Agreement within 30 days of his/her start date, setting forth the conditions and expectations for his/her educational appointment at the agency.  This agreement covers such topics as the following:

  • Non-employee nature of the ORISE appointment;
  • Prohibition on ORISE Fellows performing inherently governmental functions;
  • Obligation of ORISE Fellows to convey all necessary rights to the FDA regarding intellectual property conceived or first reduced to practice during their fellowship;
  • The fact that research materials and laboratory notebooks are the property of the FDA;
  • ORISE fellow’s obligation to protect and not to further disclose or use non-public information.
Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees and will reach completion by May 1, 2020. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

  • Demonstrated record or potential of scientific productivity
  • Training in molecular biology, immunology or virology
  • Research experience and proficiency in at least two of the following:
    • molecular cloning
    • flow cytometry
    • cell culture
    • viral vector-mediated gene delivery
    • cellular assays (viability, proliferation, genotoxicity)
    • exosome
    • NGS analysis
    • small animal handling
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/1/2020 11:59:00 PM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (3 )
    • Engineering (27 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
    • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
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