FDA Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Stem Cell Therapy
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available with the Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies (OTAT), at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Our research is focused on studying the immunosuppression activity of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) used in cell therapy. Currently there is much interest in assessing the immune suppression activity of MSCs and the mechanism by which MSCs mediate this capacity. The training will include learning experimental approaches to produce MSCs under different conditions and aimed to optimize production of cell preparations with high immunosuppressive activity. The participant will also learn how to purify and evaluation different preparations of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will learn techniques including immunological assays and computational prediction of MSC immunosuppressive activity. These techniques will be adopted to analyzing immunosuppressive activity of EVs as well as the MSCs that produce them.
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.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by May 2020. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CBER@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (FDA-CBER-2020-0027) in your email.