FDA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry

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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
• One 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.NCTR@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

A postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Division of Systems Biology, Omics, Modeling, Imaging, and Chemistry Branch, National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Jefferson Laboratories Campus located in Jefferson, Arkansas. 

The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate on multi-disciplinary research efforts in nationally recognized research programs in support of FDA’s mission and will be part of the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Imaging Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) Lab, which supports NCTR research and regulatory sciences across the other FDA Centers.  

The successful candidate will collaborate with the Principal Investigator (PI) in a multi-disciplinary research effort and be trained in: (a) visualization and spatial localization of analytes such as lipids, drugs, drug metabolites, endogenous metabolites, neurotransmitters, n-linked glycans, and peptides; (b) imaging whole tissues, organs, biopsies, or rodents; (c) imaging fixed or fresh-frozen sections; and (d) collaborate on ongoing FDA-relevant projects in toxicology and regulatory science protocols.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 1, 2022; start date is flexible

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 appointment is up to 3 years and will be full-time. 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 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 doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology), or be currently pursuing the degree with completion prior to the appointment starting date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Must be a U.S. citizen or have been in the U.S. three (3) out of the last five (5) years.

Preferred Skills:

• Mass spectrometry instrumentation such as MALDI-IMS, MALDI-TOF/TOF, FTMS, high-resolution instrumentation and imaging software is preferred, but not essential.
• Additional experience in histology is a plus, including tissue sectioning and staining, sample preparation and matrix addition.
• Although experience is preferred, motivated applicants with a willingness to learn will also be considered.

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Physics (1 )

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 plan on receiving a PHD prior to the appointment starting date.