FDA Internship - Biofilm Associated Medical Device Related Infections
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
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.CDRH@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
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*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
FDA Office and Location: A research opportunity is available in the Division of Biology, Chemistry and Materials Science (DBCMS) within the Office of Science and Engineering Labs (OSEL) at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Research Project(s): The objective of the research project is to advance the understanding of biofilms on medical devices which have been associated infections. The project will include developing methods of detection of biofilms on medical devices, methods for reproducible biofilm formation on devices and device surrogates, and methods for assessing effectiveness of antimicrobials to prevent biofouling.
Learning Objectives: As a participant you will:
- Learn how to implement biofilm growth methods and trouble shoot biofilm experiments on medical device materials.
- Gain expertise in performing experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results, using analytical methods of microbiology and biochemistry.
- Learn how to effectively communicate results to a wide scientific audience.
Mentor: The mentor(s) for this opportunity are Sara Linden (sara.linden@fda.hhs.gov) and Ruchi Pandey (ruchi.pandey@fda.hhs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
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 participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. 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.
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's in a relevant field (e.g., biology, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science), with completion by May 31, 2026. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
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.)
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