FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Breast Cancer Research

Organization

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA-OWH-

9/4/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

A postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Division of Biochemical Toxicology at the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Jefferson, Arkansas. Funding for this opportunity will be provided by the Office of Commissioner (OC), Office of Women's Health (OWH).

This opportunity is in the Food and Drug Administration, National Center for Toxicological Research, Division of Biochemical Toxicology, whose primary mission is to conduct peer‑reviewed research and develop new scientific tools for the FDA to improve public health. The overall research in this Division is focused on measuring the toxicities and risk of cancer related to specific chemicals and the introduction of new techniques to enable regulatory agencies to evaluate better the risks associated with exposure to chemicals.

• Train in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of laboratory research while developing skills in cell culture, next‑generation sequencing, assay development, and bioinformatics.
• Write reports and publishable scientific papers and give oral presentations on the design and results of research and experiments.
• Assist in preparation, submission, and review of manuscripts and publications.

The mentors for this opportunity are Kelly Harris (Kelly.Harris.gov) and George Hammons (George.Hammons.gov).

• Anticipated appointment start date: 2026 (flexible)
• Appointment length: initially one year, may be renewed pending FDA recommendation and availability of funds.
• Level of participation: full‑time.
• Stipend: monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.
• Citizenship requirements: open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPR), and foreign nationals in compliance with immigration status guidelines.

• Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management.
• Proof of health insurance.
• Familiarity with FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists and standard ethics requirements.

FDA requires ORISE participants to read and sign their FDA Education and Training Agreement within 30 days of start date. The agreement includes topics such as non‑employee nature of the ORISE appointment, prohibition on performing inherently governmental functions, obligation to convey all rights to FDA regarding intellectual property, and protection of non‑public information.

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. toxicology, biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, or related areas) within the last five years of the appointment start date.

• A strong background in planning and conducting wet‑lab research, data analysis, and presentation of findings. Primary experience in 2D and 3D cell culture, and basic molecular techniques is highly desired.

• Doctoral degree received within the last 60 months.
• Disciplines: chemistry, materials sciences, bio‑organic chemistry, chemical general, engineering, life health and medical sciences.
• Veteran status:
  Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 months.
• Affirmation: I am a U.S. citizen, or I have lived in the United States for at least 36 months out of the past 60 months. I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.

Ashley