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 Atlanta, Georgia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works to protect 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.

Research Project: Fellow will train in activities and research in the field of emergency and environmental risk communication in support of NCEH/ATSDR. The fellow’s activities will include:

• Partnership development:
  • Gain experience establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners to achieve goals.
  • Gain experience in conducting outreach activities to strengthen partnerships with multiple priority populations.
• Content creation and editing:
  • Train to collaborate with NCEH/ATSDR Outreach and Emergency Response Team to provide actionable, accurate information in emergencies to government and nongovernmental partners.
  • Gain experience providing plain language writing and editing and train in the planning, development, disseminating, and evaluating of health communication products, including those developed for web, print, and other digital platforms.
• Research and Evaluation:
  • Train to assess outreach and communication activities through evaluation, including qualitative research methods such as listening sessions, social media feedback, and other indicators.
• Emergency Response:
  • Train in emergency response activities, including gaining experience providing outreach and content support for a Joint Information Center

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor:

• Candidate will learn to define and apply Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication principles in an emergency.
• Candidate will learn to write public health messages for multiple channels and audiences that clearly and succinctly provide actionable emergency response information
• Candidate will learn to define the steps to conduct qualitative research for public health and apply feedback to strengthen messages.
• Candidate will learn to participate in a Joint Information Center during an emergency response and contribute to its functions.  

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Suzianne Garner (sle1@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 1, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one 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 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  ORISE.CDC.ATSDR@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should be pursuing or have received a master's, or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (public health, communications, behavioral health, or environmental health). Degree must have been received within the past five years, or pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong writing and editing skills, and be flexible and able to adapt to shifting priorities and a faster pace of work when required by an emergency response.
• Experience in public health communications, including audience analysis, product development, clear communication, and/or risk communication is important.
• Ideally the candidate will have interest or experience in environmental health and show awareness of environmental health issues arising from natural, chemical, and radiological disasters.  

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (7 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )

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.)