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.

There is a fellowship opportunity in the Office of the Commissioner/Office of Food and Veterinary Medicine (OFVM) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The Science and Research Team (SRT) within OFVM is charged with coordination and integration of research activities across the Food and Veterinary Medicine (FVM) Program, which includes the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, the Center for Veterinary Medicine, and related laboratory organizations within the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA).

The FVM Program is charged with protecting food/feed safety and animal health. Sound laboratory data supported by applied research efforts– principally analytical method development and molecular epidemiological applications – provide the tools needed for food-borne outbreak investigations, surveillance programs, compliance actions, and regulatory decision making.  FVM research activities – knowledge gap analysis, priority setting and resource allocation, methods development, collaboration with ORA field resources, and research tracking - are all coordinated by the SRT and the FVM Science and Research Steering Committee.

Risk-informed prioritization of food safety research, project planning, and resource allocation under the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has become the major operational elements of the FVM research enterprise.  Managing such a diverse integrated enterprise, one that spans the spectrum from concept to implementation of impactful regulatory applications, requires  a multifaceted data management tool using cutting edge information technology to incorporate tools for evaluating work plan resources, prioritization, reporting/tracking, and evaluating public health impact based on defined metrics based on strategic goals. The development of such a next-generation interactive information management system will be the principal focus of the research fellow's duties.

The fellow may have the opportunity to be involved in the following activities:

• Identifying criteria for analytical and business capabilities, and applications required of a next-generation research tracking/reporting database to replace the current platform
• Creating a business model for an integrated electronic dashboard that is capable of aligning research prioritization, reporting, tracking, public health impact with risk-informed productivity plan development and strategic management of food safety objectives
• Coordinating the preparation of a publication highlighting successful research initiatives and underlying best practices for distribution on a semi-annual basis to the FVM research community and external stakeholders
• Developing a best practices guide based on a retrospective analysis of the common design, execution and communication elements underlying high-impact regulatory science
• Refining of a tracking/reporting framework for use in contemporary and future analyses of research portfolios and research priorities

The fellow may have the opportunity to learn:

• How an integrated, multi-faceted research enterprise functions in support of a public heath mission
• Regulatory food safety research programs
• Information and data management applications and how they can shape and advance research programs in a public health environment

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 Silver Spring, Maryland area. Participants do not become employees of CDC or the program administrator, and there are no fringe benefits paid.

• Master’s degree in public health or epidemiology within five years of the starting date
• Strong background in the biological sciences
• Broad experience in information technology and data management systems.

• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )