CDC Parasitic Diseases Molecular Diagnostics Fellowship
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available within the Parasitic Diseases Branch (PDB), Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria (DPDM) of the Center for Global Health (CGH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Parasitic diseases continue to be an important domestic problem in the U.S., increasingly associated with travel and immigration, immunodeficiency, and emerging and reemerging infectious agents. PDB is responsible for conducting diagnosis, surveillance, investigations, and studies of parasitic diseases to define disease etiology, mode of transmission, and populations at risk. The role of the PDB Reference Diagnostics Laboratory is to provide diagnostic reference laboratory service to state and local health departments and health care providers. We also conduct research to develop effective methods for diagnosis, prevention, control, and elimination of several parasitic diseases.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be trained in the following activities:
- Performing PCR-based tests to identify and characterize parasites in human clinical specimens, including Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania species, Plasmodium species and Babesia microti
- Extracting DNA from human clinical specimens, including feces, blood, tissue, and body fluids
- Development of new diagnostic assays and testing algorithms to enhance and maintain the reference diagnostic and testing capacity
- Comply with procedures to maintain and improve on the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with CDCs guidelines and federal regulations concerning laboratory diagnostic testing on human patients (CLIA)
- Understand and analyze laboratory results and prepare data for oral and written presentations
- Follow all standard operating procedures and safety measures for the laboratory
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Preferred skills:
- Proficiency in using PCR-based methods (e.g., PCR, real-time PCR, RT-PCR) to detect microorganisms
- Proven good oral and written communication skills
- Prior experience working in a clinical/diagnostic laboratory
- DNA extraction from complex specimens (stool, soil, food, etc.)
- Next generation sequencing (NGS) methods and bioinformatics
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.CDC.CGH@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (CDC-CGH-2020-0065) in your email.