FDA Internship - Developing Assays to Characterize Outer Membrane Vesicle Vaccines; CMC

How To Apply

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

All required documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA-CBER-

• An application
• Transcripts —  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

7/24/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis. A research opportunity is available at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), FDA, located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The CBER mission is to protect and enhance public health through regulation of biological and related products.

Research Project: A post-baccalaureate opportunity is available in the laboratory of Dr. Travis Kochan. You will utilize molecular epidemiology, genomics, animal models, and molecular microbiology to define mechanisms of Klebsiella pneumoniae pathogenesis as potential targets for intervention, including development of vaccines and/or therapeutics. The project aims to determine: how K. pneumoniae evades detection by and modulates the host immune system, and what factors contribute to pathogenesis, gastrointestinal colonization, or antimicrobial resistance.

These studies will define mechanisms by which high-risk clones cause disease and modulate immune cell function during pulmonary infections, with implications for lung immunity and repair during infections, allergies, cancer and aging.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will: acquire practical experience in molecular microbiology techniques (e.g., cloning, transposon library creation, next-generation sequencing); enhance computational skills through sequence analysis and modeling; improve written and oral communication of scientific concepts; develop proficiency in immunology-related techniques (ELISA, Western Blot, Flow Cytometry).

The mentor for this opportunity is Dr. Travis Kochan (Travis.

Kochan.gov). For questions about the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated

Start Date:

June 1, 2026 (flexible). Appointment Length: initially one year, may be renewed based on FDA availability and recommendations. Level of Participation: full time. Participant Stipend: monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship Requirement: U.S. citizens only. This program is administered by ORAU through DOE to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Participants are not FDA, DOE, or program-employee employees, and do not receive FDA employment benefits. A successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management is required for onboarding of of health insurance is required. OPM background investigations apply to individuals who have resided in the U.S. for at least three of the past five years.

FDA Ethics Requirements apply for ORISE Fellows, including provisions for Significantly Regulated Organizations and related disclosures.

Education:

ORISE participants must read and sign the FDA Education and Training Agreement within 30 days of start date, covering topics such as the non-employee nature of the appointment, prohibition on inherently governmental functions, intellectual property rights, ownership of research materials, and confidentiality obligations.

Currently pursuing or have received a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or be currently pursuing.

• Tissue culture
• Molecular cloning
• Whole genome sequencing and analysis
• Transposon sequencing
• Experience with rodents
• Bioinformatics (Python, R)
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Ashley

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen only. Degree:
Bachelor's degree within the last 60 months or currently pursuing. Discipline options include Life Health and Medical Sciences, and related fields listed in the original description.