FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Polymer Chemistry/Nanomaterials Synthesis

Organization

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reference Code

FDA-NCTR-2026-0008

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

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Application Deadline

9/25/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
  
  

FDA Office and Location: A research opportunity is available immediately with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), The National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Nanotechnology Core Facility, Office of Scientific Coordination, located in Jefferson, Arkansas.

The National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), is the only FDA Center located outside the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The one-million square foot research campus in Jefferson, Arkansas plays an important role in the missions of FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to promote and protect public health.

Research Project: This fellowship is designed to provide advanced, hands-on regulatory science training for recent doctoral graduates interested in nanotechnology and polymer research relevant to FDA’s public health mission. The Nanotechnology Core Facility supports FDA mission by developing and applying state-of-the-art analytical approaches to understand the characterization, safety, biocompatibility, and performance of nanomaterials used in regulated products.

Learning Objectives: You will engage in structured research training under the mentorship of FDA scientists and will collaborate within a multidisciplinary research environment. The training program focuses on building technical experiences, methodological rigor, and an understanding of regulatory science applications. Key hands-on training components include:

• Development of novel methods for the synthesis of polymers, nanomaterials, microplastics and nanoplastics
• Pyrolysis or Thermogravimetric Analysis coupled to Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
• Various particle size measurement techniques in solution phase, such as dynamic and static light scattering
• Participation in high-quality, high-impact research projects aimed at standardized method and methodology development leading to publications
  
  

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Anil Patri (anil.patri@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

Applicants should have earned a doctoral degree in organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, nanomaterials chemistry or related fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience in the synthesis of polymers, handling analytical instrumentation for characterizing polymers, obtaining and analyzing spectral data, and a track record of research publications solving complex problems.
  
  

Point of Contact

Ashley

Eligibility Requirements">12 )

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences ( Show more