Postdoctoral Fellowship in Polysaccharide Structure-Function Relationships

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. The Laboratory of Bacterial Polysaccharides (DBPAP/OVRR/CBER) is searching for a postdoctoral fellow to perform structural studies on bacterial polysaccharide fragments (OSs) and their interactions with antibodies, with the aim of improving our understanding of the OSs’ “active” conformations. The opportunity is available immediately. More about us: LBP is a collaborative multidisciplinary group that focuses on four major subjects: Cellular immunology, epidemiology, biochemistry and structural biology. As the structural biology group, our main research tools are NMR instruments (500, 700, 850 MHz), CD, ITC, SEC-MALS, MS and access to electron microscopes. LBP is on the FDA main campus and is within 25 miles of NIH, NIST and the I-270 tech corridor. Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 1st, 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 one year, 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.

The qualified candidate should have received a Doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing the degree with completion expected prior to the start of the appointment. Degree must have been earned within the last five years. Preferred skills: Expertise in analytical methods, such as NMR, mass spectrometry, HPLC, light scattering and computer programming. Expertise in glycan or carbohydrate synthesis is a plus. Experience in microbiology, biochemistry and MS are pluses. The candidate should have extensive experience with analytical methods and a strong background in quantitative analysis. Solution NMR background is preferred. A Ph.D. with less than three years’ experience.

The application must be compleed through Zintellect. https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/FDA-CBER-2024-05A