FDA Medication Error Educational Program Development Fellowship

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. Your application will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted.

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.

A research opportunity is available with the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology/Office of Medication Error Prevention and Risk Management, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

This project in the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology/Office of Medication Error Prevention and Risk Management will investigate the need to enhance the Division of Medication Error Prevention and Analysis (DMEPA)’s educational program so that safety evaluators are equipped with the right knowledge and tools to identify and prevent errors associated with Center for Drug Evaluation (CDER)-regulated products. The project will focus on what methods exist and how best to develop innovative scientific educational and learning programs and resources to build the foundational knowledge that safety evaluators in CDER will need to evaluate regulated drug products.

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

• researching and leveraging the research
• assessing functionality to computerize training or learning checklists used by DMEPA
• evaluating satisfaction of employees when using digital learning tools in DMEPA
• evaluating satisfaction of employees in reaching educational objectives through implementation of remote learning programs
• investigating the effectiveness of a newly implemented learning program (e.g., virtual learning program or self-paced learning program)

This training will prepare the participant for a successful scientific career and an understanding of The Food and Drug Evaluation (FDA)’s mission of providing safe and effective drugs for the public.

*Although the application deadline is December 31, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

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.

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

Familiarity with Microsoft Office and software available for developing education media is preferred.

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (16 )
  • Engineering (2 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )