CDC Region 6 Public Health Assessment (PHA) for Superfund Site Fellowship
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
A complete application consists of:
- An application
- Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
- A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
- One educational or professional recommendation. Your application will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
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*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is available in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Dallas, Texas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC protects America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same. CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish its mission, CDC conducts important science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.
Research Project: ATSDR Region 6 seeks to host an ORISE Fellow in Dallas, Texas. The ORISE fellow's primary learning experience will be training in the development of a Public Health Assessment (PHA) for Superfund Site, where radioactive materials, heavy metals, and chlorinated solvents have contaminated soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater. You may:
- Organize and analyze available environmental data using ATSDR's Public Health Assessment (PHA) process to support public health conclusions and recommendations.
- Research site history and community demographics, and coordinate with ATSDR's Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program (GRASP) to develop site-specific maps that identify populations potentially at risk.
- Participate in community meetings with ATSDR public health professionals, other federal partners, community members, and Tribal representatives to better understand community health concerns and incorporate this information into the evaluation of potential health risks associated with environmental exposures.
Learning Objectives: Through this project, you will gain experience with ATSDR's Public Health Assessment process used to evaluate potential human health risks associated with environmental exposures. You will also gain exposure to EPA’s Superfund activities and experience collaborating with federal, state, local, Tribal, and public health partners. Opportunities will be available for you to travel to participate in training, site visits to gain field experience, and gain experience engaging with partners from multiple agencies and jurisdictions throughout the public health assessment process.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is LaVedia Smith (zpn3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 28, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.
Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).
Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email CDCrpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a master's degree in one of the relevant fields.
- Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
- Degree: Master's Degree.
- Discipline(s):
I certify that I have not previously been employed by CDC or by a contractor working directly for CDC. I understand that CDC does not permit individuals with a prior employment relationship with CDC or its contractors to participate as trainees in the ORISE program. (Exceptions may be granted for individuals who, since the previous CDC employment, have obtained a new STEM degree which necessitates training in a new field.)
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