HPV Immunology Laboratory Trainee

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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 fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Chronic Viral Diseases Branch within the Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP) of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) 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. The Chronic Viral Diseases Branch (CVDB) conducts public health research leading to the control and prevention of chronic diseases associated with viral infections (cervical cancer and human papillomavirus) and chronic medically unexplained illnesses (such as chronic fatigue syndrome).  To address the challenges of these complex chronic illnesses, the program applies molecular and immunological techniques to biologic samples collected from population-based epidemiology and vaccine response studies to provide insight into pathogenesis, improve testing methods, and create biorepositories for biomarker discovery and validation. 

Research Project: Joining the CVDB Immunology Laboratory, the participant will be trained on laboratory tasks including antigen production, specimen processing, and sample testing and archiving in support of human papillomavirus (HPV) sero-epidemiology, and vaccine implementation studies.

Learning Objectives: Specific training activities may include but are not limited to:

• Training on specimen management which involves use of appropriate equipment and software for cataloging, processing and storing biologic samples received in the laboratory while observing all safety guidelines
• Performing DNA purification, tissue-culture and HPV virus-like particle production and purification
• Performing Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) and other immunologic and molecular assays for detection of immune response to HPV.
• Performing quality control and safety procedures necessary for the performance of laboratory protocols involved in working with biohazard materials
• Training on good documentation practices as well as record management of both hardcopy and electronic copies of laboratory notebooks detailing experiments and results, and submitting reports of tasks performed as they are requested
• Training on laboratory quality management activities as required to produce reproducible scientific data 
• Attending weekly departmental and CDC-wide meetings to broaden scientific knowledge

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Gitika Panicker (dhv1@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 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 annually subject to agreement between the mentor and fellow, availability of funds, and continued eligibility of fellow to participate in the ORISE Program.

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 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 be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or currently pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Experience with basic laboratory skills and universal safety precautions outside of the classroom setting would be preferable.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is preferred
• Some experience or interest in coding language R or Python would be helpful
   

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )

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.)