FDA Data Science and AI Fellowship

Application Deadline

11/27/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

FDA Office and Location: A research opportunity is available immediately with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Commissioner (OC), Public Health Strategy and Analysis Staff (PHSA) located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participation Programs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are educational and training programs designed to provide students and recent graduates, opportunities to participate in project-specific research and developmental activities at the Public Health Strategy and Analysis Staff (PHSA). PHSA provides policy making, program direction, coordination, liaison, and expert advice to agency leadership and programs in support of FDA's science-based regulatory efforts.

Research Project: You will participate in research and analytical activities that advance FDA's regulatory science mission through applied data science and AI. Fellowship activities are organized across four interconnected project areas, each offering structured training and hands-on learning experiences.

Project 1: Research and Data Analysis

You will gain experience in data science for PHSA’s core research portfolio. Activities will include investigating questions related to drug competition, FDA regulatory pathways, and global health, as well as collaborating on ad hoc analytical requests from the Commissioner's office and Agency partners. You will analyze complex datasets, develop and document analytical methods, and contribute findings to policy-relevant outputs. This will include relational databases such as SQL and PostgreSQL, and may leverage cloud-based data platforms such as Databricks.

Project 2: AI Adoption and Integration

You will collaborate with PHI mentors to research and investigate strategies for evaluating, piloting, and scaling AI tools within OPLIA. Activities will include analyzing emerging AI methodologies, contributing to frameworks that guide responsible AI adoption in a regulatory environment, and documenting insights that can inform Agency-wide AI governance and implementation efforts. You will apply machine learning methods and applied AI tools, including experience with large language models (LLMs) - spanning open-source models, LLM architecture, prompt design, and agentic AI frameworks - to help evaluate and advance responsible AI integration across the Agency.

Project 3: Pilot and Proof-of-Concept Applications

You will collaborate with FDA staff to design and develop pilot applications and proof-of-concept tools. These activities will aim at investigating how automation, machine learning, and advanced analytics can improve internal processes, streamline analytical workflows, and enhance the efficiency of regulatory research and operations. You will apply hands-on programming skills in R and Python, acting within server-side development environments such as RStudio, JupyterLab, and RSConnect, and will document development decisions and contribute to knowledge-sharing within the team.

Project 4: Data Visualization

You will participate in the development of interactive dashboards and visual analytics tools. Activities will include designing visualizations that enable FDA staff to efficiently explore and communicate complex datasets, and contributing to the adoption of visualization best practices in support of regulatory and public health decision-making. You will apply hands-on skills using frameworks such as Plotly, Dash, and R Shiny to translate complex data into clear, actionable visual analytics and dashboards.

Learning Objectives: Throughout the fellowship, you will engage in structured learning opportunities designed to build expertise at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, and regulatory science. These include:

• Mentored research experiences with FDA subject matter experts in data science, AI, public health policy, and regulatory science.
• Participation in relevant training programs, seminars, and workshops on emerging technologies, including AI methodologies and responsible use of large language models (LLMs).
• Skill development in scientific and technical writing, data engineering, machine learning, and data visualization.
• Exposure to cross-agency collaborations and the opportunity to learn from interdisciplinary teams spanning epidemiology, economics, and health policy.
• Attendance at high-level policy and planning meetings with the office director, staff, and FDA senior leadership.

This fellowship will provide you with a strong foundation for a career in regulatory science, applied data science, or public health policy. By contributing to high-impact research and tool development projects, you will build a robust portfolio of technical, analytical, and collaborative skills. Engagement with FDA's regulatory science network and exposure to real-world policy and operational challenges will position you as a competitive candidate for advanced roles in government, academia, or the private sector.

Mentor: The mentor can be reached at ophsa@fda.hhs.gov. If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 1, 2026, or later. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, 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. The anticipated stipend is $7,600 monthly, plus $532 per month for a health insurance supplement.

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.

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. 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree should be anticipated to receive by 12/31/2026.

Stipend

$7,600.00 Monthly

Point of Contact

Ashley

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree.