*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling- basis.
FDA Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available in the Office of Blood Research and Review (OBRR) at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Research Project: A post-baccalaureate, postmaster or postdoc research opportunity in the field of transfusion medicine is open in the lab of Dr. Chintamani Atreya in the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research of the FDA. In transfusion medicine, blood- borne bacteria, viruses, and parasites are known to contaminate blood donations and pose a health risk. Current pathogen inactivation for whole blood and blood components use chemicals and/or ultraviolet light, which are known to affect the treated product’s quality and efficacy, which sometimes potentiate adverse events in transfusion recipients.
Recognizing these impediments, CBER’s 2021- 2025 Strategic Plan reaffirms the need for new pathogen reduction technologies that are safer to the treated product. The research focus of Dr. Atreya's lab has been on the development and evaluation of methods and tools for inactivation of pathogens in blood components stored for transfusion into patients.
The successful candidate will:
Have hands-on training experience under the supervision of Dr. Atreya. Be trained in collecting and analyzing research data and collaborate with other members of Dr. Atreya's research group in the laboratory. Be trained in preparing data and writing manuscripts. Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will gain experience in novel peptide based and violet-blue light in the visible spectrum based pathogen inactivation of blood-borne pathogens in blood components stored for transfusion into patients.
Anticipated Start Date: March 1, 2024.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one to two years, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.
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.
