FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship - Analytical Chemistry

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly stipend

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is offering a postdoctoral research opportunity with the FDA, located in Silver Spring, MD. The project focuses on developing a web-based tool to streamline extractable studies for medical device biocompatibility, using mass spectrometry data and modeling.

The fellowship, under FDA's CDRH, involves a full-time appointment with a projected start in 2026. Mentorship, monthly stipends, and program eligibility are outlined, with the option of

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or holding a doctoral degree in a relevant field, with anticipated completion by May 31, 2026.
• Degree must have been received within the past five years.
• Eligible citizenship: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or foreign national per program guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop a web-based application to facilitate biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices.
• Utilize mass spectrometry data from extractable studies and physics-based modeling.
• Present findings to a broad scientific audience and collaborators.

Education

Doctoral degree in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, or computer science

Tools

GC-MS

LC-MS

Job description

Organization

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reference Code

FDA-CDRH-2026-0013

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.

Application Deadline

9/30/2027 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

FDA Office and Location

A postdoctoral research opportunity is available in the Division of Biology, Chemistry and Materials Science (DBCMS) within the Office of Science and Engineering Labs (OSEL) at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Research Project(s)

The objective of the project is to develop a web-based application that will facilitate biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices by streamlining extractable studies. We will use mass spectrometry data generated from medical device materials under different extraction conditions in conjunction with physics- based modeling to develop the web-based tool.

Learning Objectives

• Gain expertise in chemical extractable and leachable studies for medical devices through performing experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results.
• Learn how to develop and implement varied research methodologies.
• Gain expertise in analytical methods including, GC-MS and LC-MS.
• Learn how to present to a wide scientific audience.

Mentor

The mentor for this opportunity is Nameera Wegner ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA and is contingent on the 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.

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.

Education

• 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 doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g., biology, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science), with completion by May 31, 2026. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Point of Contact

Richard

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/31/2026 11:59:00 PM.
• 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
• Engineering
• Life Health and Medical Sciences

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.)

and

I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.