FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship - Glyco-technology Lab

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience

Job summary

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education offers a postdoctoral fellowship at the FDA focusing on glycan research from glycoprotein drugs. Key responsibilities include researching glycan release using chemo-enzymatic methods and characterizing glycan structures through high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Candidates should possess a doctoral degree in a relevant field or be nearing completion. This position, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, offers a stipend and other educational opportunities.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree received within the last 60 months, or anticipated by 9/29/2026.
• Should have experience in relevant research fields.

Responsibilities

• Research glycan release from glycoprotein drugs using chemo-enzymatic methods.
• Characterize glycan structures using H(U)PLC and MS.
• Develop technologies for analysis of glycosylation of therapeutic glycoprotein drugs.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Glyco-chemistry

Proteomics

Education

Doctoral degree in a relevant field

Job description

Organization

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reference Code

FDA-CDER-2026-0101

Application Deadline

9/30/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Application Requirements

• An application
• Transcripts – detailed information available for 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.

Description

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

FDA Office and Location

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Pharmaceutical Quality (OPQ), Office of Pharmaceutical Quality Research (OPQR), Silver Spring, Maryland.

Research Project

As a postdoctoral fellow, you will join a project to research the glycan release from glycoprotein drugs with chemo-enzymatic methods and characterize glycan structures with state‑of‑the‑art technologies, including high‑performance liquid chromatography (H(U)PLC) and mass spectrometry (MS).

Learning Objectives

Under the guidance of the mentor, you will learn and develop technologies for feasible analysis of glycosylation of therapeutic glycoprotein drugs, including monoclonal antibody drugs, fusion proteins, enzyme‑replacement therapies, plasma products, etc., in manufacturing control and characterization.

Mentor

Tongzhong Ju ([e-mail])

Appointment Details

• Start Date: 2026 (flexible, dependent on funding and other factors)
• Length: one year, subject to renewal upon recommendation and availability of funds
• Full time
• Monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience
• Proof of health insurance required
• Background investigation required for individuals who have resided in the U.S. for a total of three of the past five years

Citizenship Requirements

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPR), and foreign nationals with valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

Employment and Benefits

Participants do not become employees of FDA, DOE, or the program administrator, and there are no employment‑related benefits.

FDA Ethics Requirements

ORISE Fellows, including spouse and minor children, must report any significantly regulated organization (SRO) relationship or prohibited investment fund financial interest. Failure to divest or terminate the relationship results in ineligibility for FDA placement. For additional requirements, see FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists.

Education Agreement

• Non‑employee nature of the ORISE appointment
• Prohibition on ORISE Fellows performing inherently governmental functions
• Obligation to convey rights to FDA for intellectual property conceived or first reduced to practice during the fellowship
• Research materials and laboratory notebooks remain property of FDA
• Obligation to protect and not further disclose or use non‑public information

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in a relevant field, or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree with completion before September 29, 2026. The degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred Skills

• Skills in mass spectrometry, glyco‑chemistry, and/or proteomics

Point of Contact

Ashley

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral degree received within the last 60 months, or anticipated by 9/29/2026 12:00:00 AM
• Discipline(s): Chemistry and Materials Sciences – Analytical Chemistry, Bio‑organic Chemistry, Chemistry (General), Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry; Life Health and Medical Sciences
• I am a U.S. citizen or have lived in the United States for at least 36 of the past 60 months
• I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements