FDA Research Opportunity - Influenza Vaccine Assay Development
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Silver Spring, MD, United States
FDA Office and Location
A research opportunity is available in the Office of Vaccines Research and Review (OVRR) at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland. CBER’s mission is to protect and enhance public health through regulation of biological and related products including blood, vaccines, allergenics, tissues, and cellular and gene therapies.
Research Project
The development of vaccines against viral diseases that are major public health concerns is a high priority. The laboratory focuses on pandemic influenza vaccines with the aim to identify and evaluate viral antigens and vaccination strategies, and develop tools to measure and evaluate relevant biomarkers of vaccine immunogenicity.
Learning Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will develop improved assays for quantifying potency of pandemic influenza vaccines and optimize processes to produce reagents needed for these assays. You will learn techniques in virology, molecular biology, and protein analysis, and gain understanding of protein expression systems, structure, and purification.
Mentor
Jerry Weir (Jerry.Weir@fda.hhs.gov).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date
2026. Start date flexible.
Appointment Length
Initially one year, may be renewed upon recommendation and availability of funds.
Level of Participation
Full time.
Citizenship Requirements
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents only.
Program Details
Program administered by ORAU through a contract with DOE. Participant will receive a monthly stipend. Participants are not FDA employees and have no employment‑related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required. Background investigation by OPM is required.
FDA Ethics Requirements
ORISE Fellows and their families must disclose any financial interest in a significantly regulated organization (SRO). Failure to divest may disqualify the applicant. See FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists for additional requirements.
Education and Training Agreement
Participants must read and sign a federal agreement covering non‑employee status, prohibition of performing governmental functions, intellectual property rights, property of research materials, and confidentiality.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree within the last three years in a relevant discipline, including biology, immunology, virology, epidemiology, genetics, microbiology, and related fields.
Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship: lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen.
Degree: bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree obtained within the last 36 months or currently pursuing.
Discipline: relevant life, health, and medical sciences.
Affirmation
I am a U.S. citizen; or I have lived in the United States for at least 36 of the past 60 months. I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.
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A research opportunity is available in the Office of Vaccines Research and Review (OVRR) at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland. CBER’s mission is to protect and enhance public health through regulation of biological and related products including blood, vaccines, allergenics, tissues, and cellular and gene therapies.
Research Project
The development of vaccines against viral diseases that are major public health concerns is a high priority. The laboratory focuses on pandemic influenza vaccines with the aim to identify and evaluate viral antigens and vaccination strategies, and develop tools to measure and evaluate relevant biomarkers of vaccine immunogenicity.
Learning Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will develop improved assays for quantifying potency of pandemic influenza vaccines and optimize processes to produce reagents needed for these assays. You will learn techniques in virology, molecular biology, and protein analysis, and gain understanding of protein expression systems, structure, and purification.
Mentor
Jerry Weir (Jerry.Weir@fda.hhs.gov).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date
2026. Start date flexible.
Appointment Length
Initially one year, may be renewed upon recommendation and availability of funds.
Level of Participation
Full time.
Citizenship Requirements
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents only.
Program Details
Program administered by ORAU through a contract with DOE. Participant will receive a monthly stipend. Participants are not FDA employees and have no employment‑related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required. Background investigation by OPM is required.
FDA Ethics Requirements
ORISE Fellows and their families must disclose any financial interest in a significantly regulated organization (SRO). Failure to divest may disqualify the applicant. See FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists for additional requirements.
Education and Training Agreement
Participants must read and sign a federal agreement covering non‑employee status, prohibition of performing governmental functions, intellectual property rights, property of research materials, and confidentiality.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree within the last three years in a relevant discipline, including biology, immunology, virology, epidemiology, genetics, microbiology, and related fields.
Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship: lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen.
Degree: bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree obtained within the last 36 months or currently pursuing.
Discipline: relevant life, health, and medical sciences.
Affirmation
I am a U.S. citizen; or I have lived in the United States for at least 36 of the past 60 months. I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.
#J-18808-Ljbffr