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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
• An essay describing your career goal (upload in Writing Sample area)
• 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.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: 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.

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: Parasitic diseases are still important domestic problems in the U.S., where U.S. citizens become infected either when travelling abroad or within the country. PDB is responsible for conducting reference serology testing for parasitic diseases and has collection of specimens that can be used for the development or evaluation of diagnostic methods.  As part of the institutional mission, the serology team is developing new serological assays and will also be evaluating a serology assay for COVID-19. 

The goal of the project is to determine potential antibody cross reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and parasitic pathogens by determining the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (using Multiplex Bead Assays) in retrospective blood or blood products specimens archived by CDC’s Malaria and Parasitic Diseases Laboratories prior to the initial detection of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in December 2019 as well as prospective samples submitted to DPDM diagnostic laboratory.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be trained in the following activities:

• Advanced multiplex serology detection methods to parasitic diseases and COVID-19.
• Process residual blood samples to detect analytes from specific pathogens.
• Perform research and development work for new serology assays.
• Design multiplex assays, either for one or multiple diseases.
• Prepare reagents for multiplex serology assays.
• Generation, analyses and interpretations of research data for data management and oral or written presentations.
• Comply with procedures to maintain and improve on the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with CDC guidelines and federal regulations concerning laboratory diagnostic testing on human patients (CLIA).
• Follow all standard operating procedures and safety measures for the laboratory

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Emily Dodd (iog2@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 1, 2022.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years, 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: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

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.CGH@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• Proficiency in using laboratory-based methods using blood samples (e.g., multiplex serology assays, ELISA, Western blot) to detect microorganisms through serological methods.
• Proven good oral and written communication skills
• Prior experience working in a clinical/diagnostic laboratory
• Proficiency in serological assay development.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )

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.)