FDA Rare Diseases Fellowship

A research opportunity is available in the Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), the CDER Rare Diseases Program (RDP) is tasked with several commitments regarding rare disease clinical development programs. In order to make adequate assessments of RDP methods, a knowledge management platform was developed to allow tracking/analysis of RDP activities. Based on this platform and supplementary data, analyses can be performed to aid RDP in identifying (1) emerging disease areas where patient-focused drug development enhancements are needed, (2) review issues that support improved clinical development, or (3) international issues in clinical development programs in rare disease. 

This project will train the participant on basic concepts in rare disease development and review, rare disease concepts (e.g. small clinical trials, expanded access, flexibility approaches), guidances and PDUFA VI commitments. The participant will gain understanding of the fundamentals of rare disease drug development as well as concepts/approaches utilized to accelerate development, gain knowledge of the activities of the CDER Rare Diseases Program and the deliverables to Congress, and gain experience in analysis methods to identify emerging areas, review issues, and/or international issues in the rare disease space.

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.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. 

If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CDER@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (FDA-CDER-2020-0521) in your email.