FDA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Neurotoxicology

Organization
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Reference Code
FDA-NCTR-2022-10
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.NCTR@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

Application Deadline
9/14/2022 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

A postdoctoral fellowship 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.

The successful candidate will participate in a multi-disciplinary project to develop and characterize a brain-on-a-chip model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The project aims to investigate the role of APOE status on the development of neurovascular dysfunction in AD. The candidate will use New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) including patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and microphysiological systems (organ-chips) to construct a physiologically-relevant model of AD. The candidate will collaborate with FDA investigators at NCTR and with investigators in other FDA centers. During the project, the candidate 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: August 15th, 2022

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 up to three years 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.
Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Neuroscience, Toxicology/Genetic Toxicology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science). Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

  • Thorough knowledge in the areas of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience and Toxicology 
  • Prior experience in hiPSCs culture, differentiation and characterization
  • Prior experience with the use of microphysiological systems or organ-chips 
  • Previous experience in cellular and molecular biology methods (cell culture, western blot, PCR, ELISA, immunocytochemistry) 
  • Previous experience in confocal microscopy 
  • Candidates should be highly motivated with demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills and the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
Affirmation

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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