What are the responsibilities and job description for the FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship - Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Development position at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education?
Organization
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Reference Code
FDA-CBER-2026-0042
How To Apply
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
A Complete Application Consists Of
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CBER@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
Application Deadline
5/29/2026 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time Zone
Description
Research Project: This laboratory conducts research on non-capsular immunogens to facilitate the development of vaccines to prevent disease caused by encapsulated bacterial pathogens. Our research is aimed at understanding antigenic diversity as it relates to the development and evaluation of vaccines that will prevent disease caused by serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will examine bacterial pathogenesis, host immunity and vaccine antigen immunogenicity associated with novel bacterial proteins from Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae using a wide range of methods including animal models, cell culture, and proteomic methods.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Margaret Bash (Margaret.Bash@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 to two years, 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:
The qualified candidate must have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, other Life Health and Medical Sciences or related fields. The degree must be received before the start of the appointment and within 5 years of the appointment start date.
Experience with small animal models, recombinant molecular techniques, cell culture, protein expression and purification, genomic and proteomic techniques or in vitro toxicology is desirable.
Point of Contact
Ashley
Eligibility Requirements">48 )
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Reference Code
FDA-CBER-2026-0042
How To Apply
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
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
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CBER@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
Application Deadline
5/29/2026 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time Zone
Description
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
Research Project: This laboratory conducts research on non-capsular immunogens to facilitate the development of vaccines to prevent disease caused by encapsulated bacterial pathogens. Our research is aimed at understanding antigenic diversity as it relates to the development and evaluation of vaccines that will prevent disease caused by serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will examine bacterial pathogenesis, host immunity and vaccine antigen immunogenicity associated with novel bacterial proteins from Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae using a wide range of methods including animal models, cell culture, and proteomic methods.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Margaret Bash (Margaret.Bash@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 to two years, 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.
The qualified candidate must have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, other Life Health and Medical Sciences or related fields. The degree must be received before the start of the appointment and within 5 years of the appointment start date.
Experience with small animal models, recombinant molecular techniques, cell culture, protein expression and purification, genomic and proteomic techniques or in vitro toxicology is desirable.
Point of Contact
Ashley
Eligibility Requirements">48 )
- Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
- Discipline(s):
- Life Health and Medical Sciences (
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