CDC Surveillance Epidemiologist Fellowship with the NARMS Team

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCEZID-DFWED-2022-0235
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
  • A cover letter (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.

Application Deadline
7/31/2022 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

CDC Office and LocationA research opportunity is currently available with the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Team within the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch (EDEB) in the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED) at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The CDC is the agency Americans trust with their lives. As a global leader in public health, CDC is the nation's premier health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency. Whether we are protecting the American people from public health threats, researching emerging diseases, or mobilizing public health programs with our domestic and international partners, we rely on our employees to make a real difference in the health and well-being of people here and around the world.

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System for Enteric Bacteria (NARMS) was established in 1996. This national public health surveillance system tracks changes in the antimicrobial susceptibility of certain enteric (intestinal) bacteria found in ill people (CDC), retail meats (FDA), and food animals (USDA) in the United States. The NARMS program at CDC helps protect public health by providing information about emerging bacterial resistance, the ways in which resistance is spread, and how resistant infections differ from susceptible infections.

Research ProjectThe NARMS Team within EDEB at the CDC is seeking applications for a Surveillance Epidemiologist. NARMS is an interagency partnership among CDC, the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture, and state and local health departments. CDC NARMS monitors antimicrobial resistance (AR) among enteric bacteria isolated from humans. The Surveillance Epidemiologist will collaborate with the epidemiology team, NARMS laboratory colleagues, state partners, other teams within EDEB, and branches within the DFWED to monitor AR among foodborne and other enteric disease outbreaks and strains that reoccur, emerge, and persist. The candidate will receive hands-on knowledge in maintenance of NARMS databases through data entry, validation, and cleaning. The candidate will participate in NARMS communications with federal and state partners, presentations at national and regional conferences, and internal/external meetings. The candidate will provide support for inquiries from the public and from public health agencies regarding antimicrobial resistance of enteric bacteria. In addition, the candidate will participate in data analysis and projects.

Learning ObjectivesUnder the guidance of a mentor, the participant will gain knowledge and experience in the following activities: 

  • Collaborating with the NARMS/EDEB REP-code Epidemiologist, to monitor, track, and update internal and external partners on pathogens with Reoccurring, Emerging, or Persisting strains that have concerning or unique antimicrobial resistance
  • Gain experience in public health communications as a liaison between the Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch and state health departments regarding outbreak isolate submission to NARMS
  • Participating with the data management of outbreaks caused by antimicrobial resistant pathogens
  • Linking of NARMS data to other enteric surveillance systems
  • Acquire skills by maintaining the NARMS database through data entry, validation, and cleaning
  • Analyzing NARMS data for individual and collaborative projects
  • Collaborating with team members on the preparation of NARMS annual and integrated reports/summaries
  • Responding to data requests and inquiries related to NARMS data
  • Researching and collaborating on guidance provided to IT staff regarding surveillance elements and performing user acceptance testing of NARMS data systems
  • Participate with preparation of funding materials for the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases Cooperative Agreement
  • Acquire skills by developing website and communication material related to antimicrobial resistance
  • Gain experience in public health communications by serving as the NARMS representative to several working groups that involve various teams in the Division and/or NARMS federal partners
  • Other learning opportunities as assigned, such as collaborations with other EDEB teams and participating with CDC outbreak response, as needed.

Mentor(s)The mentor(s) for this opportunity is Christina Camejo (VVV9@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2022.  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 and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).

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

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Public Health). Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

This appointment requires residence within the Atlanta Metro area.

Preferred skills:

  • Specific concentration in epidemiology
  • Knowledge of microbiology and molecular biology concepts
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills, which include public speaking and preparation of written materials such as documents and reports
  • Demonstrable knowledge of basic R and SAS (both preferred) or similar programming concepts Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Access and Excel
  • Ability to work well independently and collaboratively as part of a close-knit team
  • Experience in working with state systems and personnel
  • At least one year of public health experience
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
    • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
    • Engineering (27 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
    • Physics (16 )
    • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )
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.)