Jobs

FDA Gut Microbiome in SARS-CoV2 Fellowship

Posted on: September 3, 2020 Apply Now
Fellowships and Graduate School Expires March 31, 2021

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

A research opportunity is available in the Office of Pharmaceutical Quality/Office of Biotechnology Products (OBP), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

This research project will focus on the gut microbiome and biological therapeutic interactions in an inflammatory context. The project will also initiate a project concerning gut microbiome and SARS-CoV-2, with screening of the gut microbiome of animal along their immunologic responses.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will learn to perform experiments such as Next Generation Sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, histo-pathology/immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and ELISA/Luminex assays. In addition, the participant will be introduced to in vivo experiments with the use of animal colonies and techniques, such as Fecal Matter Transplants (FMT).

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 FDA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

The Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) mandates a background check be completed for both U.S. Citizens and foreign nationals. Foreign nationals must have resided in the U.S. for at least three (3) of the past five (5) years in order for FDA to be able to complete a background check.

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.

If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CDER@orau.org.

Apply Now