FDA Interventional Radiological Imaging and Visualization; IRIS Fellowship

Reference Code

FDA-CDRH-

9/30/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

A Postdoctoral Fellow opportunity is available immediately with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), located in White Oak, Maryland.

The IRIS program addresses critical regulatory science challenges in three related and emerging medical technology domains: interventional and autonomous systems, extended reality technologies, and novel imaging validation and evaluation methodologies. This integrated project aims to develop specialized laboratory capabilities and personnel expertise to evaluate autonomous surgical robotics, mixed reality medical applications, and phantom-based alternatives. The project provides extensive learning and development opportunities across these critical areas.

Participants will gain exposure to emerging regulatory science challenges, including developing performance assessment methods for autonomous interventional systems, testing protocols across multiple technologies, and creating validation approaches using digital twins and anthropomorphic phantoms to reduce clinical trial burden.

• Hands‑on expertise in AI navigation and robotics systems integration, real‑time imaging technologies, and performance validation protocols.
• Knowledge of optical and X‑ray system calibration, mixed‑reality hardware integration, and evaluation methods for extended reality applications.
• Advanced skills in imaging and navigation test object fabrication using additive manufacturing, tissue‑mimicking material characterization, and multi‑modal imaging protocol evaluation.

The mentor(s) for this opportunity are Aldo Badano (aldo.badano.gov) and Nirmal Soni (nimral.soni.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentors.

Spring 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.

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 must refer to the program website for acceptable immigration statuses.

Managed by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. Participants receive a stipend and must provide proof of health insurance. Participants do not become employees of FDA, DOE, or the program administrator.

Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management is required. OPM can conduct background investigations only for individuals who have resided in the U.S. for a total of three of the past five years.

ORISE Fellows, and their families, must disclose and divest any significantly regulated organization financial interests as required. See FDA Ethics for Non‑employee Scientists for full details.

Participants must read and sign the FDA Education and Training Agreement within 30 days of start date. The agreement covers non‑employee nature, prohibition of performing governmental functions, IP obligations, property of research materials, and non‑disclosure.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the following fields:

Degree:
Master’s or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/31/2026 12:00:00 AM.

• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences
  • Artificial Intelligence (including Robotics, Computer Vision, Human Language Processing, and Machine Learning)
  • Computer Architecture and Grids
  • Computer Science – Languages and Systems
  • Computer Science – Theoretical Foundations
  • Computer Science (general)
  • Computer Systems Analysis
  • Computer Systems Design (including Signal Processing)
  • Data Science
  • Databases, Information Retrieval, and Web Search
  • Graphics and Visualization
  • Human Computer Interaction
  • Information Science and Technology
  • Information Security and Assurance
  • Networks and Communications
  • Operating Systems and Middleware
  • Scientific Computing and Informatics
  • Software Engineering
• Engineering
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Physics

I have lived in the United States for at least 36 of the past 60 months (months do not need to be consecutive) and I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.

Ashley