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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 postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is available in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Fort Collins, Colorado.

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: The Arboviral Disease Branch (ADB) of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) is made up of teams that focus on diagnostics, surveillance and epidemiology, virological assessment, and entomological aspects of viruses transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes. The fellow will be performing research on the Ecology and Entomology team (EET) within ADB. EET is responsible for assessing and supporting testing of insecticide resistance, evaluating evidence-based mosquito control methods, assessing and designing interventions based on arboviral ecology, and developing and performing assays for detection of arboviruses from arthropod pools. EET also works with states and local partners to support surveillance, outbreak response, and training. This fellowship appointment will focus on training of methods for detection of arboviruses from arthropod pools and vector competence. Ongoing projects include 1) qRT-PCR detection and viral isolation from arthropod pools, 2) vector competence assessment of local vectors for arboviruses at risk for introduction 3) determination of limits of detection from arthropod pools utilizing digital PCR and 4) development of LAMP assays for La Crosse and Jamestown Canyon virus.

Learning Objectives: Additional training opportunities include:

• Learning how to assess the vector competence of arthropod populations using viruses that pose a risk for introduction into the United States, or using attenuated vaccine candidates
• Training on how to develop protocols and assays using advanced molecular techniques including next generation sequencing and digital PCR
• Hands-on training in the field including arthropod collection and/or rearing of mosquito colonies
• Training in proper techniques of virus isolation and identification from arthropod pools
• Collaboration with partners outside of CDC for testing and research support
• Training experiences in how CDC supports arboviral outbreak responses

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Joan Kenney (vwx1@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 31, 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. The current monthly stipend for this opportunity is $6,081 - $7,289.

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 doctoral degree in one the relevant fields. The degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. 

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• 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.)