PhD/Postdoc Research Internship in Additive Manufacturing, Orthopedic Devices, and Biomedical Engineering at FDA (Summer 2026) U.S. Food and Drug Administration in United States

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a full-time, paid research internship for graduate students (PhD candidates or postdocs) in Material, Mechanical, or Biomedical Engineering. This opportunity is hosted by the Division of Applied Mechanics (DAM) within the Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories (OSEL) at the FDA's Silver Spring, Maryland campus. The research focuses on additive manufacturing (AM) and orthopedic devices, including bone screws, plates, spinal implants, and joint arthroplasty devices. The program aims to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medical devices through advanced research in AM technologies and innovative manufacturing processes.

Interns will gain hands-on experience in finite element analysis (FEA) using ANSYS and Abaqus, mechanical testing of AM components (fatigue, compression, tensile), working with various AM technologies (FDM, SLA, SLS), CAD design and fabrication (SolidWorks), programming (Python, g-code), data analysis, and specimen imaging. Additional activities may include human cadaver dissection and testing, chemical characterization, process validation, and literature review. The position is hybrid, with a strong in-person component at the Silver Spring campus.

Applicants should have hands-on experience with mechanical testing, a solid understanding of mechanics of materials and material science, and prior exposure to AM, CAD, FEA, programming, and/or fatigue modeling. Eligibility is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-citizens who meet federal security requirements, including a background check and at least 36 months of U.S. residency in the past 60 months. Candidates must have received their last degree within the past 5 years or anticipate graduation by May 31, 2027. Proof of health insurance is required.

The internship is funded through ORISE, offering a monthly stipend based on educational level and experience. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension depending on funding. Application materials include an online application, transcripts, CV/resume, and one recommendation letter, all in English. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the Zintellect portal. Mentors for this opportunity are Dr. Daniel Porter, Dr. Snehal Shetye, and Dr. Andrew Baumann.

Key research areas include additive manufacturing, orthopedic devices, finite element analysis, mechanical testing, biomedical engineering, material science, CAD, Python programming, and fatigue modeling. This is an excellent opportunity for graduate students and postdocs interested in medical device research and advanced manufacturing technologies.