Research Project Description

Veterinary Laboratory Fellowship
Division of Veterinary Services
Center for Biological Evaluation and Research
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Washington, DC

FDA-CBER-2013-0011

Project Description:

A fellowship opportunity is available within the Division of Veterinary Services (DVS) in the Center for Biological Evaluation and Research (CBER) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CBER regulates biological products for human use under applicable federal laws, including the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. DVS supports the needs of CBER research efforts and maintains an Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)-accredited animal program.

As a part of the Office of Biologics Evaluation and Research, the selected participant may be involved in the following activities:

• Evaluating the daily health of research animals, and recording and reporting any abnormalities
• Reviewing AM/PM daily observation sheets recorded by the contract animal care staff and reporting any unexpected deaths or abnormalities noted
• Notifying the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) coordinator when animal usage is about to exceed the maximum number allowed
• Recording information from Animal Health Reports into the Animal Health Surveillance database
• Reviewing and editing DVS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as needed
• Organizing and analyzing Diagnostic Health Submissions data
• Maintaining the veterinary supply inventory
• Assisting in laboratory technical procedures, such as injections, technical manipulations, identification for various species and organ harvesting at necropsy, and processing specimens for diagnostic evaluation
• Studying and becoming familiar with established protocols on research involving laboratory animals
• Participating in additional career development activities that may become available through the Facility Project Officer, depending on project needs

The Research Participation Program for FDA is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend depending on educational level and experience. The participant must show proof of health insurance. The appointment is full-time at FDA in the Washington, D.C., area. Participants do not become employees of FDA or the program administrator, and there are no fringe benefits paid.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in public health, project management, environmental health, or veterinary medicine received within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. Students currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university who are pursuing a graduate degree are also eligible to apply. Proof of enrollment will be required each semester.
• Knowledge of the principles and applications of data entry, program and project oversight, lab animal research and animal health analysis is desired.

How to Apply:

To be considered, please send a current CV/resume to FDArpp@orau.org. Please reference FDA-CBER-2013-0011 in all communications.