*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

A postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Division of Systems Biology (DSB), Omics, Modeling, Imaging and Chemistry (OMIC) Branch located in Jefferson, Arkansas.

The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate on multi-disciplinary research efforts in nationally recognized research programs in support of FDA’s mission and will conduct research investigating potential drug-induced neurological effects within the OMIC branch of DSB, which supports NCTR research and regulatory sciences across the other FDA Centers.

As a member of the OMIC branch, research activities may include:

• Visualization and spatial localization of analytes such as lipids, drugs, drug metabolites, endogenous metabolites, neurotransmitters, n-linked glycans, and peptides for fixed/fresh-frozen tissue sections using multiple imaging techniques, including mass spectrometry (MS) and immunohistochemistry.
• Performing cell-based in vitro studies to evaluate molecular changes and signal transduction downstream of drug treatment and binding to candidate drug targets/receptors, with an emphasis in neural cells.
• Collaborate on ongoing FDA-relevant projects in toxicology and regulatory science.

The desired start date is October 16, 2023; start date is flexible.

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 appointment is full-time for one year. 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.

FDA Ethics Requirements

If an ORISE Fellow, to include their spouse and minor children, reports what is identified as a Significantly Regulated Organization (SRO) or prohibited investment fund financial interest in any amount, or a relationship with an SRO, except for spousal employment with an SRO, and the individual will not voluntarily divest the financial interest or terminate the relationship, then the individual is not placed at FDA.   For additional requirements, see FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists. 

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.