FDA Internship - Biofilm Associated Medical Device Related Infections

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA-CDRH-

9/30/2027 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A 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), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The objective of the research project is to advance the understanding of biofilms on medical devices which have been associated infections. The project will include developing methods of detection of biofilms on medical devices, methods for reproducible biofilm formation on devices and device surrogates, and methods for assessing effectiveness of antimicrobials to prevent biofouling.

• Learn how to implement biofilm growth methods and trouble shoot biofilm experiments on medical device materials.
• 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.

The mentor(s) for this opportunity are Sara Linden (sara.linden.gov) and Ruchi Pandey (ruchi.pandey.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA and is contingent on the availability of funds.

The appointment is full time.

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

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  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 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…