FDA Fellowship Attenuation of Innate Immunity by House Dust Mite Proteins

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this opportunity will remain open until filled.

A research opportunity is currently available in the Office of Vaccine Research and Review (OVRR) at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

House dust mites (HDM) are ubiquitous arachnids that ingest shed human epithelium and reside in bedding and upholstered furniture. Many HDM proteins are known allergens that trigger allergic rhinitis and asthma. In addition to their role as allergens, proteins from HDM attenuate the innate immune response to viral infection in respiratory epithelial cells. While we know that these proteins are mostly found in HDM fecal pellets that is small enough to get inhaled into the distal airways of the lung, they remain yet to be identified. Also, the molecular mechanisms of HDM-mediated attenuation of the innate immunity is not known. Therefore, the aim of this project is to identify the proteins responsible for the attenuation of the innate immunity and to decipher the mechanism behind. The successful candidate for this opportunity will learn tissue culture techniques and well as techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics necessary to study signal transduction and innate immunity.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 1, 2024

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 initial appointment is for 18 months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at FDA in the Silver Spring, Maryland, area. 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 at FDA. OPM 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 Ethics Requirements

If an ORISE Fellow, to include their spouse and minor children, reports what is identified as a Significantly Regulated Organization (SRO) or prohibited investment fund financial interest in any amount, or a relationship with an SRO, except for spousal employment with an SRO, and the individual will not voluntarily divest the financial interest or terminate the relationship, then the individual is not placed at FDA. For additional requirements, see FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists.

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 protect and not to further disclose or use non-public information.
• Qualifications
• The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• The ideal applicant will have some knowledge of laboratory techniques, including pipetting, tissue culture, SDS-PAGE and western blot.

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• The ideal applicant will have some knowledge of laboratory techniques, including pipetting, tissue culture, SDS-PAGE and western blot.

The application must be completed through Zintellect. https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/FDA-CBER-2024-06