To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

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.

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*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the Division of Overdose Prevention (DOP), within the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 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.

Research Project: The selected participant will conduct research under the direction of a mentor who is the team lead for the DOP Communication Services Team and will collaborate with CDC communications, policy, programmatic, and scientific staff. Under the ORISE Fellowship program, the ORISE fellow will have the opportunity to train and learn to evaluate social media and digital metrics for communication strategies for preventing overdoses. Activities will include developing and assessing messaging, resources, and tools for various audiences. 

Learning Objectives: The fellow will have the opportunity to train in four or more of the following, depending on the specific skill set and interests of the selected candidate and tasks will include, but not limited to: 

• Translating scientific content for public health use and application (e.g., distillation of content, application of plain language, etc.)
• Helping in promotion of publications and scientific releases, consulting with CDC subject matter experts
• Facilitating data dissemination; developing and efficiently using graphics, maps, plots, tables, and charts
• Helping in responding to external CDC and HHS inquiries and status requests
• Updating and developing prepared responses and FAQs for the Division
• Collecting and analyzing metrics for web pages, podcasts, blogs, infographics, Adobe Campaigns to assess health impact, usability, and accessibility of communications products
• Developing, implementing, and learning how to manage national communication and marketing programs, projects and initiatives for various audiences
• Planning, applying, and evaluating various communication science and marketing techniques to achieve optimal program results and promote positive health outcomes
• Collaborating on the preparation of written documents that reflect a thorough knowledge of complex public health issues and appropriate health communication, health promotion, and marketing intervention strategies

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Jerrel Thomas (vng9@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2, 2025. 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: 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.NCIPC@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should be pursuing or have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields; Public Health, Health Communication, Health Education, Marketing or related field with interests and experience in communication, social media, technical assistance, product development, and project management, preferably in the public health field. Degree must have been received within the past five years or is anticipated to be received by 12/31/2024.

Preferred skills:

• Self-motivated and able to complete tasks independently
• Demonstrated skills with Microsoft Office (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and project management tools
• The knowledge, experience or ability to interpret and summarize scientific data
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Experience or knowledge with web content development and understanding of metrics, trends/developments and uses
• Experience in managing, planning, organizing, and directing multiple, complex processes across multiple teams.
• Experience in demonstrating critical thinking, analyzing situations and data, and problem solving.
• Ability to collaborate with other scientific and professional staff.
• Knowledge and experience with drug overdose prevention and research
• Experience or knowledge with digital and social media channels and understanding of metrics, trends/developments and uses
• Skill in managing, planning, organizing, and directing multiple, complex processes across multiple teams
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking, analyze situations and data, and problem solve
• Experience or knowledge with drug overdose prevention and research, preferred.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2024 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )

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.)