FDA Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Neurotoxicology - Biomarkers Discovery

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. Your application will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted.

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

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

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available in the Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Jefferson Laboratories Campus located in Jefferson, Arkansas.

Research efforts will include participation in multi-disciplinary efforts in a nationally recognized training program in support of the FDA’s mission and be trained to conduct biomarker discovery and neurotoxicity testing using rodent models of neurotoxicity and neurological disorders.  A major focus of the research will also involve the use of confocal imaging and molecular neurobiological techniques and protein chemistry to identify fluidic biomarkers of central nervous system toxicity.  Under the guidance of a mentor, the selected participant will learn to use various assays/techniques available in the NCTR's Division of Neurotoxicology, techniques in data analysis from these experiments, and various neuropathological/neurochemical assays. The participant will train with FDA investigators at NCTR and with investigators in other FDA centers. During the project, the participant will be actively encouraged to present the research at internal and external meetings and publish the findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 16, 2020

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 Jefferson, Arkansas, 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.

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by March 31, 2020. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

• Strong background in animal handling and tissue processing, confocal imaging and microscopy, molecular neurobiology, protein chemistry and proteosomal biology
• Demonstrated written and oral communications skills

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 3/31/2020 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )