CDC Health Communications Fellowship

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCEZID-DHCPP-2022-0268
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
9/13/2022 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP), Chronic Viral Diseases Branch (CVDB) 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:  CVDB’s mission is to control and prevent diseases associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) and fatiguing illnesses (e.g., Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), post-COVID conditions (PCC)) in collaboration with community, state, national and international partners. Our staff includes behavioral scientists, epidemiologists, molecular biologists, laboratorians, microbiologists, physicians, and statisticians. The fellow will interact closely with medical officers, epidemiologists, health communicators and web developers.

Opportunities may include:

  • Writing and disseminating web-based information about myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Long COVID and other post-infectious syndromes.
  • Translating scientific language for various audiences.
  • Developing communication materials such as stories, newsletters, program summaries, fact sheets, social media postings, and infographics.
  • Collaborating with partner organizations to disseminate tailored information through a variety of mediums.
  • Assisting with community engagement activities to support ME/CFS awareness and Stakeholder Engagement and Communication (SEC) calls.
  • Drafting survey questions and analyzing results to inform public health messaging.
  • Drafting responses to inquiries about ME/CFS, Long COVID and other post-infectious syndromes received through CDC-INFO or direct messages.

As knowledge is gained, the participant may be involved in developing the best mechanisms for communicating information to various audiences and analyzing the reach of messages to those audiences. 

Learning Objectives: The learning objectives of the selected individual's appointment will be the ability: (1) to develop appropriate public health messages; and (2) to help coordinate and disseminate these tools via multiple channels. Activities will contribute to the individual's professional development and experience within the field of public health communication.  

Mentor(s)The mentor(s) for this opportunity is Jennifer Cope (bjt9@cdc.gov). Please contact them if you have questions about the nature of this research.
 
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 1, 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 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.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. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Any evidence of prior writing experience (published or unpublished) is preferred.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (2 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
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.)

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