FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Comparative Toxicological Evaluation of Tobacco Smoke and ENDS Aerosols Using Human Lung

Organization

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA-NCTR-

11/20/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is available immediately with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), The National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) 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.

You will engage in research focused on the comparative toxicity of tobacco products, including combustible cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as JUUL. You will contribute to ongoing studies that utilize advanced in vitro human lung organoid models cultured at the air–liquid interface (ALI) to investigate the biological effects of tobacco smoke and aerosol exposures. You will participate in the design and execution of controlled exposure studies using automated smoking and aerosol generation systems/robots coupled with specialized exposure chambers.

These studies involve repeated exposure schedules throughout the week, followed by systematic analysis of biological endpoints. You will collaborate with researchers to investigate functional and toxicological responses to exposures, including epithelial integrity, cellular viability, and physiological function. Your activities will include analyzing ciliary beating frequency, measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and evaluating cytotoxicity and metabolic activity through LDH and MTS assays.

In addition, you will contribute to molecular and cellular investigations by applying techniques such as immunohistochemistry, comet assays for DNA damage assessment, and preparation of samples for sequencing-based mutation analysis. You will analyze experimental data, interpret findings, and contribute to the broader understanding of how different tobacco products impact lung biology.

This fellowship supports the mission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by generating high-quality data on the health effects of tobacco product exposures. You will contribute to research on the biological impacts of combustible and ENDS products, supporting the scientific and regulatory efforts of the Center for Tobacco Products. The training emphasizes scientific rigor, reproducibility, and innovative methods to advance understanding of tobacco‑related risks and protect public health.

You will engage in structured training in inhalation toxicology, in vitro lung organoid models at the air–liquid interface (ALI), and the operation of automated robots for tobacco smoke and aerosol generation. You will develop skills in cell culture, toxicological and molecular assays, experimental design, and data analysis. Your training will also emphasize scientific documentation, data integrity, and laboratory safety. Through mentorship and collaborative discussions, you will strengthen your ability to interpret findings and contribute to the scientific understanding of tobacco product toxicity and public health.

You will participate in interdisciplinary training across toxicology, cell biology, and public health while collaborating with a diverse research team. You will contribute to reports, presentations, and potentially manuscripts, strengthening your scientific communication skills. Through this experience, you will develop critical thinking, experimental design, and…