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FDA Regulatory Approach to Radiation Dosimetry Fellowship

Posted on: July 20, 2020 Apply Now
Research/Fellowship Expires March 31, 2021

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

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

Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for radioactive drugs are required to provide data to allow calculation of the radioactive exposure to a human subject. For First-In-Human (FIH) studies INDs usually provide animal data. Extrapolation of radiation dose from animals to humans is imprecise, and this project explores these regulatory and scientific challenges.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will develop an understanding of radiation distribution to body organs (radiation dosimetry) and its impact on safe drug design. Using this knowledge, the participant will gain skills in evaluating the concordance between animal and human estimates of biodistribution and radiation absorbed doses of various radiopharmaceutical drugs.

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.

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 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.
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