FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship - Analytical Chemistry

Organization

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reference Code

FDA-CDRH-2026-0013

How To Apply

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

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.CDRH@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

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Application Deadline

3/31/2026 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: As a postdoctoral fellow you will:

• 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 (nameera.wegner@fda.hhs.gov). 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

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 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

Ashley

Eligibility Requirements">12 )

• 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 ( Show more