CDC Epidemiology Fellowship

A research opportunity is currently available with the Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch (ORPB), within the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED) in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

CDC's Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch (ORPB) collaborates with epidemiologists, laboratorians, and other public health officials who investigate clusters of foodborne, waterborne, zoonotic, and other enteric (gastrointestinal) illnesses in the United States. ORPB works to ensure rapid and coordinated surveillance, detection, and response to multistate outbreaks caused by Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Focus areas for the branch include: (1) coordinating the national network of public health officials who investigate foodborne, waterborne, zoonotic, and other enteric disease outbreaks; (2) providing outbreak assistance to state and local health departments and other groups at CDC who investigate multistate enteric disease outbreaks; (3) develop, implement, and evaluate tools and strategies for the prevention and control of zoonotic enteric disease outbreaks; (4) communicating risk to the public and other stakeholders during ongoing outbreaks and create educational materials to prevent enteric illnesses; and (5) collaborating closely with laboratory colleagues to use whole genome sequencing and other advanced laboratory techniques in enteric pathogen outbreak investigations.

The selected participant will train in the Enteric Zoonoses Activity (EZA) and focus on investigating and preventing outbreaks of enteric illness associated with animal contact. Specific activities may include: contributing to the development of data collection tools for management and analysis of information collected during outbreaks; participating in the development of educational materials used by stakeholders during outbreak investigations; analyzing current outbreak response activities to identify improvements collaborating with partners from FDA/USDA and other organizations to harmonize public messaging on enteric zoonotic outbreak prevention.

This project offers an opportunity to be involved as a core member of a multi-disciplinary team focusing on outbreak response and prevention activities, a primary component of CDC’s mission. The project offers advanced experiential learning opportunities that should complement academic study in public health and related fields. The participant will have opportunities to enhance quantitative and qualitative reasoning, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

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. 

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees and will reach completion by August 2020. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

This opportunity is available to US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.

If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.CDC.NCEZID@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (CDC-DFWED-2020-0142) in your email.