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A complete application consists of:      

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• One educational or professional recommendation

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

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

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is available with the Division of Drug Information (DDI), in the Office of Communications (OCOMM), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The DDI works to optimize CDER’s educational and communication outreach efforts by engaging in effective internal and external interactions to provide timely, accurate, and useful information through traditional and social media channels.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be trained on:

• Creating digital content such as images, motion graphics, and videos for use on social media platforms.
• Developing, writing, implementing, and evaluating social media content (messages, photos, videos) on social media platforms.
• Analyzing social media metrics and other data sources to gauge effectiveness of social media outreach using digital analytics tools.
• Creating reports to educate leadership on social media analytics, trends, and effectiveness of outreach.
• Researching, monitoring, and creating newsletters on emerging trends and updates in social media and applying knowledge to increase the quality of social media outreach.
• Contributing to strategic planning and participate on cross-functional teams.

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 appointment is for 12 months. 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 Ethics Requirements

If an ORISE Fellow, to include their spouse and minor children, reports what is identified as a Significantly Regulated Organization (SRO) or prohibited investment fund financial interest in any amount, or a relationship with an SRO, except for spousal employment with an SRO, and the individual will not voluntarily divest the financial interest or terminate the relationship, then the individual is not placed at FDA.   For additional requirements, see FDA Ethics for Nonemployee Scientists. 

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.

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

Preferred skills/knowledge:

• Digital media design knowledge and able to use design tools and software such as Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, In Design, and Illustrator.
• Knowledge with creating content on social media channels, social media monitoring to determine effectiveness of communication, and assisting in the development of plans and strategies to use social media.
• Knowledge with developing PowerPoints, infographics, fact sheets, reports, and other educational materials.
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts and language into messages and information tailored for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Comfortable with various social media platforms and technologies for dissemination of messages and information.
• Proficiency with health communication.

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (2 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (4 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )

Have you lived in the United States for at least 36 out of the past 60 months? (36 months do not have to be consecutive.)

and 

I have read the FDA Ethics Requirements.