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A complete application consists of:

• 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 opportunity is currently available with the Arboviral Diseases Branch (ADB) within the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operating 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 DVBD is a national and international leader in researching, preventing, and controlling viruses and bacteria spread by vectors, including mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Our staff includes entomologists, epidemiologists, molecular biologists, laboratorians, microbiologists, physicians, veterinarians, virologists, and zoologists. 

Research Project: This fellowship offers the selected participant an opportunity to gain hands-on laboratory experience in the research of arboviruses, including flaviviruses, alphaviruses, and bunyaviruses. The project focuses on understanding the early events in viral infection and the humoral immune response to develop new reagents and assays for serological diagnosis. The experiments performed in the project include molecular cloning, recombinant antigen cell-line development, hybridoma cell-line development, immunoassays, virus culture, protein chemistry, flow cytometry, small animal studies, and immunofluorescent microscopy. 

Learning Objectives: The participant will receive the following training and experience:

• Knowledge of arboviruses, particularly bunyaviruses
• BSL2 laboratory practices
• Laboratory skills in molecular biology: DNA/RNA extraction, molecular cloning, RT-PCR, and sequencing
• Laboratory skills in virology and serology: cell and virus culture, various serologic assays, IFA, flow cytometry, and potentially animal experiments
• Skills in experimental planning, data recording, organization, and analysis
• Improve confidence and skills in communication and collaboration in a team setting.
• Improve presentation skills through oral presentations within the division and at scientific meetings. Improve written skills through scientific manuscript preparation.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Amanda Calvert (zpz0@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 4, 2023.  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. 

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).

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 bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree with completion by August 30, 2023. The degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. 

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 8/30/2023 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )

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.)