FDA Post-doctoral Fellowship in SARS-CoV-2 Immune Evasion and Variant Evolution – Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), United States

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A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendation

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CBER@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

FDA Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available in the Office of Vaccine Research and Review (OVRR) at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Research Project: A postdoctoral research fellowship is available to study how SARS-CoV-2 variants escapes neutralization and the mechanism of spike-mediated virus entry into cells. Research includes assessments of neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants by serum following vaccinations and infections and elucidation of spike structure-function relationships that balance immune evasion and efficient virus entry into cells. Research methods will be done in standard biosafety 2 level labs.

Learning Objectives: The participant will learn about analyzing antibody responses to new SARS-CoV-2 variants and how to elucidate structure-function relationships in the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 variants that affect antigenicity, immunogencity, and virus entry into cells.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Summer 2024.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 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.

The qualified candidate should have received a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields or currently pursuing with an expected graduation date before May 31, 2024. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• Highly motivated candidates with relevant research experience are preferred.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/31/2024 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (14 )

I have lived in the United States for at least 36 out of the past 60 months. (36 months do not have to be consecutive.)

I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.