FDA Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Development

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A complete application consists of:      

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• One educational or professional recommendation

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.

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

A postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available in the Office of Vaccine Research and Review (OVRR) in the in the Laboratory of Bacterial Polysaccharides, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

This laboratory conducts research on non-capsular immunogens to facilitate the development of vaccines to prevent disease caused by encapsulated bacterial pathogens.  Our research is aimed at understanding antigenic diversity as it relates to the development and evaluation of vaccines that will prevent disease caused by serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae. 

The postdoctoral candidate will examine the pathogenesis, immunogenicity and in vitro toxicity associated with novel bacterial proteins from Neisseria meningitidis using a wide range of methods including animal models, cell culture, and proteomic methods.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 2023; 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 for up to 4 years. 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 Ethics Requirements

If an ORISE Fellow, to include their spouse and minor children, reports what is identified as a Significantly Regulated Organization (SRO) or prohibited investment fund financial interest in any amount, or a relationship with an SRO, except for spousal employment with an SRO, and the individual will not voluntarily divest the financial interest or terminate the relationship, then the individual is not placed at FDA.   For additional requirements, see FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists.

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.

The qualified candidate must have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology or related fields.  The degree must be received before the start of the appointment and within 5 years of the appointment start date.  Experience with recombinant molecular techniques, cell culture, protein expression and purification, genomic and proteomic techniques or in vitro toxicology is desirable. 

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Academic Level(s): Graduate Students, Postdoctoral, or Post-Master's.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )

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

and

I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.

and

Do you expect to receive your degree prior to the start of the appointment?