FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship in In Vitro Genotoxicity Testing

About the role

The FDA Office and Location is the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) in Jefferson, Arkansas. The NCTR is a critical part of FDA's mission to promote and protect public health.

Research Project

You will engage in a multidisciplinary collaborative project focused on developing and evaluating a human-relevant New Approach Methodology (NAM) for quantitative mutagenicity assessment. The project aims to integrate 3D human HepaRG spheroid cultures, error-corrected sequencing (ECS), benchmark concentration (BMC) modeling, and in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) to support quantitative risk assessment of chemicals relevant to public health. Collaborative activities may include:

• Participate in the design and optimization of 3D human HepaRG spheroid-based experimental systems for the evaluation of chemical-induced mutagenicity using advanced ECS technologies.
• Analyze concentration-response relationships using quantitative BMC modeling and IVIVE approaches for translating in vitro findings into human-relevant administered equivalent doses for risk assessment applications.
• Participate in bioinformatics analyses, data integration, scientific reporting, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of research findings through presentations and publications.

Learning Objectives

This fellowship will provide you with a structured educational experience that integrates laboratory research, computational analysis, quantitative modeling, and regulatory science training. You will receive mentorship from an interdisciplinary team of scientists with knowledge in genetic toxicology, genomics, bioinformatics, risk assessment, and regulatory science. Through this integrated training experience, you will gain exposure to cutting-edge methodologies that are increasingly important for modernizing toxicology and supporting evidence-based regulatory decisions.

Mentor

The mentor for this opportunity is Xiaoqing Guo (xiaoqing.guo@fda.hhs.gov).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

October 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length

The appointment will initially be for two years, but may be renewed upon recommendation of FDA and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation

The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship Requirements

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026.

Application

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

Additional Information

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.FDA.NCTR@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.