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

• Two educational or professional references

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

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

A research opportunity is available in the Office of Medical Policy (OMP) Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (OPDP) at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A project in the Office of Medical Policy (OMP) Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (OPDP) seeks to conduct a literature scan of published, peer-reviewed studies to better understand past research on healthcare professional processing and understanding of data displays, particularly graphics generally and in prescription drug promotion specifically. The review should provide an overview of the scholarly research in the field, help us to identify areas that require further research, and develop specific research questions.  This project will impact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) by enhancing CDER’s knowledge base about factors impacting understanding and communication of prescription drugs in promotion; impacting external constituents by providing access to research results in areas that have not yet been investigated.

Under the guidance of a mentor the participant may be involved in: conduct an analysis of a sample of professionally-directed prescription drug promotion with regard to content of data displays; conducting a literature scan of published, peer-reviewed studies; conducting a literature review and environmental scan of media and other appropriate sources to collect disease state communications, and mobile healthcare applications; analyzing existing data to supplement prior FDA work on the development of perceptual measures for risks and benefits and shadowing OPDP Social Science Team members to gain knowledge of regulation of prescription drug promotion, social science regulatory research methods and application, and OPDP regulatory processes.

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 12 months, 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, MD area. Participants do not become employees of FDA or the program administrator, and there are no fringe benefits paid.

The Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) mandates a background check be completed for both U.S. Citizens and foreign nationals.  Foreign nationals must have resided in the U.S. for at least (3) of the past five (5) years in order for FDA to be able to complete a background check. 

A Ph.D. (or completed masters and enrolled in an accredited Ph.D. program) in social, cognitive, experimental, industrial/organizational, or health psychology completed in the last 5 year is required. Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, study design.  Ability to plan, design, conduct and evaluate research.  Ability to use scientific and technical reporting standards and techniques to communicate research findings. Advanced statistical analysis using SPSS is strongly desired.
 

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 )

I have completed a doctoral degree within the past five years, or have completed a master's degree and am enrolled in a doctoral program.