FDA Bacterial Contamination of Blood

Organization
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Reference Code
FDA-CBER-2022-09
How to Apply

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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.

Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this posting will remain open until filled.

Three research opportunities are 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.

Bacterial contamination of blood remains a challenge for transfusion safety. FDA and particularly the Office of Blood Research and Review in CBER is interested in developing methods to improve the safety of blood transfusions in the US by reducing bacterial contamination of blood. This project will focus on developing sensitive methods to detect various strains of bacteria including Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, commonly found to contaminate whole blood. In addition to detection, we will also explore new materials to remove bacteria from whole blood. 

The opportunity to participate in Dr. Luisa Gregori's lab will allow the fellow to learn about research that supports FDA's mission of improving public health. The fellow will acquire experience in growing various strains of bacteria, will be trained on techniques for detecting bacteria, develop new skills on blood infectious diseases, develop methods for screening new materials containing affinity ligands to bacteria, and enhance communication skills by presenting findings to FDA/CBER community. This training will advance the fellow’s career goals as a researcher. The fellow will also be able to apply the newly acquired experience and education at FDA to other future job opportunities. 

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: February 2022; start date is flexible

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 be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

  • Familiarity with techniques in microbiology and molecular biology (nucleic acid extraction, PCR, qPCR)
  • Experience in working with infected materials
  • Interest in working with Biosafety Level-2 agents and human blood pathogens
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
Affirmation

Have you lived in the United States for at least 36 out of the past 60 months? (36 months do not have to be consecutive.)

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