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• 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
• 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 and training opportunity is available in the Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch (BSPB), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP) of the National Centers for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia. Telework is available following https://orise.orau.gov/usda-ars/documents/orise-virtual-remote-mentor-guide.pdf

BSPB serves as a national reference laboratory for several high consequence bacterial pathogens, including Bacillus anthracis, Burkholderia mallei and pseudomallei, Brucella spp., as well as over 500 rare and unusual bacterial pathogens. This is a lab based opportunity and training in quality management systems (QMS) will be provided.

Research Project: The fellow in this opportunity will benefit from mentoring afforded by the diverse subject matter experts within the branch as well as collaborating partners. There will be opportunities to attend training courses to enhance or refresh existing knowledge in biological science, laboratory science, epidemiology, and current quality control methods specific to biological labs. This opportunity will provide an excellent training experience for individuals interested in laboratory science and the quality requirements needed to have a reference lab. 

Learning Objectives: BSPB is looking for a candidate to assist Branch Quality Manager and gain experience in the following areas:

• Creating and revising task specific documentation.
• Tracking and trending non-conformance issues
• Developing and follow-up on corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Analyze performance data and charts against defined specifications
• Oral and written communications with Branch management, Team Leads, and staff, particularly in areas such as time-sensitive data calls
• Coordinate and communicate laboratory monitoring program and laboratory quality systems/controls with branch quality manager
• Learn quality policies, processes and procedures to ensure are used and implement appropriately.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Kimberly Ayers (kca3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Jan 1, 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.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The stipend range is $4,109 monthly, $49,308 per annum for bachelor's and $5,026 monthly, $60,312 per annum for master's.

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

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelors in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Microbiology/Biology). Degree must have been received within the past year.

Preferred Skills:

• Degree or experience in a microbiology or molecular laboratory is ideal.
• Ability to research independently or with a team
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Detail-oriented
• Proficiency in MS Office, Excel, and SharePoint software

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (13 )
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).

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.)