FDA Tick-Borne Pathogen Research Program

Overview

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

FDA Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available at the Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in White Oak, Maryland.

The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is one Center within the Food and Drug Administration, an Agency within the United States Government’s Department of Health and Human Services. CBER’s mission is to protect and enhance the public health through the regulation of biological and related products including blood, vaccines, allergenics, tissues, and cellular and gene therapies.

The ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is an educational and training program designed to provide college students, recent graduates, and university faculty opportunities to connect with the unique resources of the FDA. With the support of an assigned mentor, participants have authentic hands-on research experience and allows them access to unique research opportunities, top scientists and engineers, and state-of the art facilities and equipment.

Research Project: You will join research projects related to detection, infection dynamics and mode of transmission of tick-borne infection – Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This pathogen is responsible for causing a disease called anaplasmosis in humans. This research involves establishment of an animal model for A. phagocytophilum, determining the minimum infectious dose of infection and developing novel molecular methods for detection of this pathogen in human blood. Advanced genomics and immunological tools will also be applied to identify biomarkers of A. phagocytophilum infection in animal models and in humans.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to:

Learn fundaments in research in infectious diseases and molecular and immunological methodologies.
Obtain training in developing animal models of infectious diseases and learn how to conduct studies using biological samples.
Learn cell culture techniques and cultivation of pathogens in cell lines.
Learn advanced genomics and bioinformatic methods to decipher disease associated pathogenic mechanisms.
Learn advance molecular detection technologies for pathogen detection in blood.
Learn advance immunological methods including multi-color flow cytometry and data analysis.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Sanjai Kumar (sanjai.kumar@fda.hhs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

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 only and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs).

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 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 or be currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or be currently pursuing.