FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship - Biofilm Associated Medical Device Related Infections

How To Apply

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY. All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

• 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

Send any questions or clarifications to ORISE.FDA.CDRH. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

Organization
: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Reference Code
: FDA-CDRH-

Final date to receive applications
: 9/30/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

FDA Office and Location
: A postdoctoral research opportunity is available in the Division of Biology, Chemistry and Materials Science (DBCMS) within the Office of Science and Engineering Labs (OSEL) at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA, located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Research Project
:
The objective of the research project is to advance the understanding of biofilms on medical devices associated with infections. The project will include developing methods to detect biofilms on medical devices, methods for reproducible biofilm formation on devices and device surrogates, and methods for assessing effectiveness of antimicrobials to prevent biofouling.

• Develop, implement, troubleshoot, and improve biofilm growth methods using medical device materials.
• Develop methods for growing multi‑species biofilms on medically relevant materials.
• Develop methods for growing biofilms on materials with complex geometries.
• Gain expertise in performing experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results using analytical methods of microbiology and biochemistry.
• Learn how to effectively communicate results to a wide scientific audience.

Mentor(s):
Sara Linden (Sara.Linden.gov) and Ruchi Pandey (Ruchi.pandey.gov). Contact the mentor for questions about the nature of the research.

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.

The program is administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy; proof of health insurance is required for participation. 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  can complete a background investigation only for individuals, including non‑U.S. Citizens, who have resided in the U.S. 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 a financial interest in a Significantly Regulated Organization (SRO) or a prohibited investment fund, or a relationship with an SRO, and cannot divest or terminate the relationship, the individual is not placed at FDA.

Education
: FDA requires ORISE participants to read and sign their FDA Education and Training Agreement within 30 days of their start date, setting forth the conditions and expectations for their educational appointment at the agency. The 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…