CDC Research Fellowship in Arbovirus

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCEZID-DVBD-2023-0154A
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.

Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this opportunity will remain open until two qualified candidates have been identified.

CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is available in 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 laboratory research in arbovirus, including flaviviruses, alphaviruses, and bunyaviruses. We are looking for fellows to conduct laboratory research in projects focused on identifying molecular determinants of viral infection and pathogenesis, vaccine development, and assay development using reverse genetic technologies and innovative platforms. Experiments performed in the projects include (but are not limited to) molecular cloning, recombinant virus (mutant, chimeric, and reporter viruses) engineering, viral genome sequence, in vitro and in vivo virus phenotype characterizations, nucleic acid quantification, virus titrations, immunoassays, protein chemistry, immune fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, image-based cytometry, and small animal studies. We welcome new ideas that align with CDC's mission to advance scientific knowledge and build useful tools to support disease surveillance, diagnostics, and prevention.   

Learning Objectives: In addition to laboratory research, the fellow will have the opportunity to gain experience and skills in manuscript/report preparations and oral presentation of research outcomes at science conferences. Opportunities for collaboration across the division are available, and we are committed to the personal and professional growth of the selected fellow.

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Claire Huang (yxh0@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As early as February 19, 2024, or later. Start dates are flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed up to five years 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 bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree to be received before the appointment. Degree must have been received within the past five year of the appointment.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
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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