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A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcript(s) – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations. 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: This is an open announcement to collect applications for future research opportunities at the Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) within the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) 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. For additional information, please go to http://orise.orau.gov/cdc/ or http://www.cdc.gov/.

CDC's Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) enhances Americans' health by developing tests and using them to detect diseases and chemical exposures. The DLS also assists labs in test quality improvement and respond to health crises. They collaborate with US government agencies, state and local health departments, academic institutions, community groups, philanthropy foundations, and international organizations. Their mission is to provide laboratory support that improves the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of environmental, tobacco-related, nutritional, newborn, selected chronic, and selected infectious diseases and to provide laboratory support that improves the rapid and accurate detection of chemical threats, radiologic threats, and selected toxins.

Learning Objectives: 

Training varies by project and may include but not be limited to:

• Development, implementation, and troubleshooting of comprehensive quantitative analysis methods
• Knowledge and skills in biological sample handling/processing, instrument operation, maintenance, and data analysis
• Applying analytical methods to studies supported by DLS while maintaining compliance of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) standards, policies and regulations
• Data analysis, evaluation, and interpretation using complex software
• Quality assurance and control procedures for reporting and sharing study results
• Communication, presentation, and writing skills, and collaborating in a team environment

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 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. New participants who have a bachelor's degree at the start of the appointment will be limited to a total of five years of participation calculated from the original appointment start date. Undergraduate students may be in the program for a total of four years while obtaining a bachelor's degree. The four-year maximum will be calculated from the original undergraduate appointment start date, inclusive of breaks in appointment. Once the bachelor's degree is conferred, the individual is eligible for up to five additional years calculated from the new post-bachelor's appointment start date, inclusive of breaks in appointment.

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, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

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

The qualified candidate should have received an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctoral degree within the last five years or is currently pursuing one of these degrees. 

• Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • 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.)