FDA Analytical Chemistry Fellowship

A research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), in the Office of Food Safety (OFS) located in Bedford Park, Illinois.

Reliable methods to detect and quantify chemical contaminants and allergens in food are needed to develop preventive controls for such hazards. In addition, research is needed to develop ways to prevent contamination of food with chemical hazards and allergens. The participant, under the supervision of the mentor, will contribute to the development of analytical methods for detection chemical contaminants in foods and food-contact materials. In addition, the participant will also contribute to studies that evaluate factors that influence formation of contaminants or transfer of contaminants and allergens to food. Finally, this research project will enable industry and government stakeholders to identify methods that could be used to 1) detect and identify chemical contaminants/hazards, and 2) control of these hazards in a food manufacturing environment. 

The participant will be part of a multidisciplinary team involved in developing analytical methods for detecting chemical additives and contaminants in foods and food contact materials. Under the supervision of the mentor, the participant will also study the formation of chemical contaminants and transfer of contaminants to food from equipment, packaging material and other sources using lab-scale and pilot-scale equipment. In addition, the participant will be involved in studies aimed at evaluating the efficacy of cleaning treatments for removing allergens from food processing equipment. The participant will be trained in the use of GC-MS, ICP-MS, or other techniques for detecting components and contaminants in food packaging materials and in food. They will also be trained in designing experiments aimed at evaluating transfer of chemical constituents and contaminants from packaging material and other food-contact materials to food simulants. The participant will also gain experience setting up pilot plant equipment in the IFSH GMP pilot plant. It is anticipated that through this opportunity, the participant will receive training and become proficient in 1) use of analytical methods for detecting and quantifying chemical constituents and contaminants, 2) designing and analyzing data from experiments aimed at evaluating transfer of contaminants from food contact materials to food/food simulants, and 3) presenting research findings and writing research manuscripts. 

The participant will contribute to the interpretation and evaluation of the results of analysis to determine validity in addition to scientific and practical significance. Summary reports of the collected datasets will be generated. Results of research and/or literature reviews will be communicated to the scientific and technical communities primarily through presentation at scientific meetings and publication in appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journals. Manuscripts which include, diagrams, charts, graphs, etc. related to research activities and outcomes, will be expected to be written with minimal editing.

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 Bedford Park, Illinois, area. Participants do not become employees of FDA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

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