FDA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Genetic Toxicology

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

FDA Office and Location: A postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology at the National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Jefferson, Arkansas.

Research Project: Research activities of the project will include participation in multi-disciplinary efforts in a nationally recognized training program in support of the FDA’s mission and training in research designed to assess the effects of FDA relevant tobacco compounds on human respiratory health. The candidate will have the opportunity to learn and apply techniques using tobacco smoke and ENDS aerosol generation equipment and an advanced human in vitro organotypic airway tissue model to assess the effects of different tobacco compounds on human airway health. Various disease-relevant endpoints, including genetic toxicity and whole genome sequencing will be monitored following tobacco product exposure. During the training period, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to present the research at internal and external meetings and publish the findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Anticipated Start Date: 2024/2025.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

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 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields prior to the start of the appointment. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• Knowledge in the area of Genetic toxicology, Inhalation toxicology, Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Prior experience in cell culture
• Experience developing and performing assays to evaluate the potential toxicity of xenobiotic compounds
• Knowledge in DNA sequencing and different cytotoxicity assays
• Completion of all requirements for the degree is expected prior to the starting date

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/30/2025 11:59:00 PM.