FDA Postdoctoral Biochemistry Fellowship

Organization
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Reference Code
FDA-CBER-2020-0023
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
8/25/2020 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 Blood Research and Review (OBRR), at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the selected participant will be involved in a research program applicable to the area of hemoglobin, red blood cell biology, their storage and hemoglobinopathies. Specifically, the research in the laboratory is focused on oxidation reactions of hemoglobin, red blood cells and their microparticles. Oxidative changes in hemoglobin are followed within red cells and their impact on cellular and subcellular levels are monitored.

The participant will be trained in the following areas:

  • Chemistry of hemoglobin oxidation reactions inside and outside red blood cells
  • Posttranslational modifications of hemoglobin after oxidation with peroxide
  • Cell culture under normoxic and hypoxic conditions

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 doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. 

Preferred skills:

  • Broad knowledge in the areas of cell and molecular biology, red blood cell physiology, chemistry related to hemoglobin oxidation and hemoglobinopathies
  • Demonstrable knowledge in the field of mass spectrometry and proteomic analysis of proteins in general and hemoglobin within red cells and microparticles
  • Knowledge of identifying and quantifying posttranslational modifications in proteins
  • Experience with handling blood and cultured mammalian cells
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )