FDA Postgraduate Research Opportunity in Microbiology
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Regulatory Science (ORS) located in College Park, Maryland.
The goals of this project are to improve the ability to predict and apply key phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of recurring isolates from food industry and farms to ultimately assist in preventive controls. Initially they will be examined for their levels of tolerance or resistance to quaternary ammonium chloride compounds (Quats), chlorine, heavy metals, antibiotic drugs, heat, salts, and acid. Additional resistance traits may be characterized as needed. Organisms included in the study will include Salmonella, and other foodborne pathogens.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will receive hands-on training in the following research activities:
- CFSAN and Division of Microbiology (DM) biosafety procedures for handling pathogenic bacterial cultures
- DM laboratory methods, including:the use of the Biolog Omnilog kinetic cell growth assay reader
- generation and analysis of DNA sequence data from using Illumina next generation sequencing technologies
- the use of the Q-Pix Colony Picker and Re-arraying robot
- Participate in the development of functional assays to characterize the phenotypic changes associated with adaptive genotypic changes identified through whole genome sequence analysis
- Contribute to environmental sampling efforts of sample collection and analysis for the presence of Salmonella
- Participate in data management on all above stated projects as well as other research related activities
- Follow experimental protocols and document findings in a laboratory notebook
- Communicate with mentors on a daily basis
- Collaborate with mentors to prepare reports for communicating results to CFSAN, FDA, and the scientific community
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 20, 2020
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 two and a half 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 College Park, 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 bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
This opportunity is available to US citizens only.
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.CFSAN@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (FDA-CFSAN-2020-0020) in your email.