CDC HIV Cluster Detection and Response Fellowship

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCHHSTP-2023-0164
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.

Application Deadline
8/8/2023 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A fellowship opportunity is currently available with the Detection and Response Branch (DRB), in the Division of HIV Prevention (DHP) of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Successful applicants will be required to relocate to Atlanta, GA for the fellowship. 

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.

DRB leads national efforts to identify HIV clusters and outbreaks and support timely and tailored responses. Until recently, clusters and outbreaks of HIV infection were difficult to detect, and most went unrecognized. In 2016, CDC began implementing cutting-edge epidemiology methods using HIV sequencing data and HIV diagnosis data to identify clusters of rapid HIV transmission. When clusters and outbreaks are identified, DRB works closely with state and local public health partners to support investigation and response in order to interrupt ongoing transmission.

Research Project: This fellowship offers the opportunity to receive training on high-priority, high-impact issues in domestic HIV prevention. DRB leads national implementation of cluster detection and response, which is a required activity in all 50 U.S. states as a component of CDC’s flagship $400 million/year HIV surveillance and prevention funding opportunity. Additionally, DRB leads enhanced implementation of this activity as one of four pillars of the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative (https://www.cdc.gov/endhiv/index.html). Within the branch, the Response Science and Translation Team seeks to advance response science and health department response capacity by evaluating, synthesizing, and translating response data into guidance, planning, and training. The team is supporting health departments to evaluate their cluster and outbreak responses through the use of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative data).
 

Learning ObjectivesThe fellow will receive outstanding training in fields related to HIV cluster detection and response, including surveillance, implementation, monitoring, and public health response. The fellow will also participate in a HIV cluster response evaluation project that includes the development of cluster response evaluation tools that health departments can use to help plan, monitor, and evaluate local responses. The fellow will also have opportunities to analyze data and present and publish the findings of those analyses and may also have opportunities to be involved in special studies and outbreak response activities. The fellow will also gain valuable training experience at CDC with the potential for continuing on at the agency depending on availability of funds and/or positions. Former ORISE fellows in DRB have moved on to other regular positions at CDC as Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, full-time employees, and data scientists.

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Katie Curran (ydh9@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 5, 2023.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe 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 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, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

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

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing the degree with completion by August 31, 2023. Degree must have been received within the past five years. 

Preferred skills:

  • Strong writing and communication skills. Experience in scientific writing
  • Experience with qualitative and data collection and analysis
  • Some background in epidemiology and/or surveillance
  • Some background in program evaluation
  • Experience managing a complex project
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 8/31/2023 12:00:00 AM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
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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