CDC Molecular Surveillance Fellowship
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
MUST APPLY THROUGH EXTERNAL LINK. MUST SUBMIT RESUME WITH APPLICATION.
A research opportunity is currently available within the Viral Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch (VVPDB), Division of Viral Diseases (DVD), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia.
DVD is responsible for surveillance for many viruses associated with vaccine preventable and non-vaccine preventable viral diseases. VVPDB serves as the National Reference Laboratory for measles and mumps and a Global Specialized Laboratory within the WHO Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network. Whole-genome sequences (WGS) of measles and mumps viruses are increasingly used for molecular surveillance and tracing pathways of transmission. VVPDB develops sequencing and sequence analysis methods, shares protocols with national and international partners, generates and analyzes sequences from samples submitted to CDC and coordinates molecular surveillance nationally and internationally.
To help accomplish this goal, the selected participant will join the measles team within VVPDB. Under the guidance of a mentor, opportunities may include:
- Contribute to molecular surveillance of measles and mumps viruses by using existing laboratory protocols to generate WGS directly from clinical samples
- Participate in the development of improved protocols and workflows to produce WGS, including testing of different library preparation methods and/or sequencing platforms
- Collaborate with partners outside CDC to transfer protocols, including technical support
- Contribute to the molecular surveillance of measles and mumps viruses through use of existing bioinformatics protocols for strain comparison and through submission of sequence data to databases
This project will improve VVPDB’s capacity for strain surveillance of measles and mumps viruses. The selected participant will collaborate with subject matter experts and team members who are performing molecular surveillance in VVPDB.
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 CDC. The initial appointment can be up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC 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 CDC in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.CDC.NCIRD@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (CDC-NCIRD-2020-0110) in your email.