CDC Biorepository Fellowship

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-CSELS-2022-0418
How to Apply

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A complete application consists of:
  • An application
  • 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.

Application Deadline
7/31/2023 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and LocationAn opportunity is currently available within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Biorepository (CBR), located in the Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS), Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS) located in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major Operating Divisions 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: The CDC Biorepository (CBR) was established in 1997 to serve as a centralized biorepository resource to preserve CDC's valuable samples and to provide ongoing support to CDC programs. The CBR strives to maintain best practices and standards established in the field of biorepository science. The CBR Team is made up of subject matter experts that can help programs with all aspects of sample management. Located at the CDC campus in Lawrenceville, GA — the CBR currently houses over 6.8 million samples. These samples play a crucial role in public health research and population health by facilitating the advancement of scientific knowledge, advancement characterization of new etiologic agents, investigation of disease causes, and the development of new tests, vaccines, and treatments.

Under the CBR's Strategic Plan, it is the goal to expand access by preserving sample quality and enhancing collection and data standards.  In order to accomplish this goal, the selected participant will join the CBR Team, under the guidance of a mentor.  Opportunities include applying their scientific and technical knowledge to the field of biorepository science by:

  • Examining biorepository standards and best practices, biobanking accreditation standards, and CDC and CBR collection management policies, procedures, and processes and how these apply in a federal environment. 
  • Understanding and participating in effective stewardship of sample collections created by CDC programs activities that are fundamental to public health, surveillance, research, and outbreak response.
  • Participating in the development of solutions for informatics protocols for analysis of CBR data to be used for effective metrics and tracking, performance indicators, communications, and reporting.
  • Utilizing computer and appropriate software to collect, handle, and analyze CBR data.
  • Maintaining detailed records of all fellowship activities.

Learning Objectives

  • Evaluate and improve existing informatics pipelines used for CBR data
  • Develop workflows, processes, and procedures for CBR informatics and data related practices
  • Develop and complete specific biorepository projects relating to quality, collection management, and informatics and data management
  • Knowledge and awareness of the basic principles and concepts of biorepository science and informatics
  • Hands-on experience in sample disposition and management
  • Problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop new and improved biorepository methods

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Marcia Revelez (mte8@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as a qualified candidate is identified. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe 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 ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE InformationThis 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.CSELS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion before May 31, 2023. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/31/2023 11:59:00 PM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (6 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
Affirmation

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.)