Jobs

FDA Quality Standards for Drug Quality Fellowship

Posted on: October 22, 2020 Apply Now
Fellowships and Graduate School Expires June 30, 2021

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

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

This project in ONDP will seek to establish adequate drug quality standards through identification of critical attributes of drug substance and formulation, critical process parameters and their interactions, development of control strategies, and consideration of variables and challenges faced in manufacturing facilities. Such an improved understanding will support guidance and policy development needed for ensuring high quality of drugs across their life cycles.

Under the guidance of a mentor the participant will train on conducting data searches in literature and FDA databases to collect quality data on a number of drug products. The participant will learn how to identify a series of quality attributes; learn to develop test procedures and acceptance criteria based on these attributes; and identify formulation and manufacturing process variables affecting the quality of drug products. The project will educate the participant on appropriate quality standards for drug products.

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.

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.

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

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