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
• Two educational or professional references

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

A research opportunity is available in the Office of the Center Director at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Medical cannabis refers to use of plant parts of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) as a physician-recommended form of medicine. Potential medicinal value of cannabis is controversial. Though the chemical constituents of marijuana are variable and administered by inhalation in smoke, cannabis has not been studied systematically to meet regulatory requirements for FDA approval, as other drugs. Controlled research is lacking, though a synthetic version of the tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, showed that patients taking the drug had a favorable benefit risk ratio. Small individual published studies describe cannabis efficacy.  However, validation of study results for a varied of conditions has not been objectively and scientifically considered or evaluated, such as by meta-analysis that takes into consideration variability in populations, drug strength, and dosage.

Objectives of this project include:

• Researching published research studies concerned with evaluation of the efficacy of cannabis.
• Summarizing the scope and extent of therapeutic outcomes from published studies.
• Surveying primary study data that may be available in or reported to the FDA and NIH that could be analyzed.

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 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.

This is an indefinite and continuous opportunity. 

Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in pharmacology or pharmacy within five years of the desired start date. A research background is desired.  

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )