FDA Medical Device Interoperability Research Fellowship

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; White Oak (MD); On-site; USD 55,800 - 66,960; Full time

Job summary

A prominent research institution in White Oak, Maryland, seeks candidates for a research opportunity focusing on medical device interoperability. Ideal candidates will possess a relevant degree and engage in innovative regulatory science research. The role offers valuable experiences in conducting human subject studies and advancing technologies integral to healthcare. This position is open to U.S. citizens and certain non-citizen applicants, with a flexible start date and participant stipend based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or have received a relevant degree.
• Knowledge in Chemistry and Materials Sciences essential.
• Experience with regulatory science research preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct human subject research studies.
• Design non-clinical bench methods.
• Apply machine learning to wearable sensor data.

Skills

Analytical Chemistry

Bio-inorganic Chemistry

Bio-organic Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry

Computer Science

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctoral Degree

Job description

How To Apply

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

• 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 [e-mail]. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

Organization

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reference Code

FDA-CDRH-2026-0015

Application Deadline

4/30/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

FDA Office and Location

A research opportunity is available immediately with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) located in White Oak, Maryland. The mission of CDRH is to protect and promote public health. CDRH assures that patients and providers have timely and continued access to safe, effective, and high-quality medical devices and safe radiation-emitting products. CDRH provides consumers, patients, their caregivers, and providers with understandable and accessible science‑based information about the products overseen by CDRH. CDRH facilitates medical device innovation by advancing regulatory science, providing industry with predictable, consistent, transparent, and efficient regulatory pathways, and assuring consumer confidence in devices marketed in the U.S.

Research Project

The FDA's Medical Device Interoperability Regulatory Science Program conducts regulatory science research to ensure safe and effective interoperable medical devices, including wearable technology and systems of devices in the home and integrated clinical environments. Interoperable medical devices being investigated may include wearable sensors (e.g., photoplethysmography for pulse oximetry and blood pressure measurements, inertial measurement units for gait and movement analyses), patient monitoring algorithms (e.g., artificial intelligence/machine learning approaches) for disease detection and management, and physiologic closed‑loop controlled devices. Research activities for studying interoperable devices include developing test methods for wearable technology as part of systems of devices in the home, non‑clinical approaches for characterizing wearable sensor data, and developing computational modeling and cyber‑physical testing for automated devices.

Learning Objectives

• Conducting human subject research studies to evaluate wearable sensor‑derived endpoints, including for movement and gait analysis;
• Designing and fabricating phantoms and non‑clinical bench methods for characterizing wearable optical sensors (e.g., PPG);
• Testing medical device electronic interfaces;
• Applying signal processing and machine learning approaches to wearable sensor data (e.g., ECG, IMU, PPG);
• Developing computational modeling approaches for automated medical devices (e.g., physiologic closed‑loop controlled devices).
• Developing multi‑spectral computational modeling tools using GPU‑based processors to map light propagation for characterizing wearable optical sensors under a wide range of scenarios.

Mentor

Kimberly Kontson ([e-mail]), Joshua Pfefer ([e-mail]), David Eguren ([e-mail]), and Christopher Scully ([e-mail]).

Appointment Information

• Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2026. Start date is flexible.
• Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA and is contingent on availability of funds.
• Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.
• Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

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.

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.

Education

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 be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.

Point of Contact

Ashley

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/31/2028 12:00:00 AM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Bio‑inorganic Chemistry
    • Bio‑organic Chemistry
    • Biophysical Chemistry
    • Chemistry (General)
    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Inorganic Chemistry
    • Materials Sciences
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Physical Chemistry
    • Polymer Chemistry
    • Theoretical Chemistry
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences
    • (no subfields listed)
  • Earth and Geosciences
    • (no subfields listed)
  • Engineering
    • (no subfields listed)
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences
    • (no subfields listed)
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences
    • (no subfields listed)
  • Mathematics and Statistics
    • (no subfields listed)
  • Physics
    • (no subfields listed)

Affirmation

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.