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 Violence Prevention (DVP) within the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located 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.

initiatives, DVP supports national organizations, state and local health agencies, and other partners to develop, implement, and promote effective violence prevention and control practices. DVP's strategic priorities are to:

• Increase the number of people exposed to prevention strategies proven to reduce violence
• Reduce adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• Expand understanding of how to prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths

Research Project: The fellowship will focus on two emerging areas of violence prevention research, human trafficking and technology-facilitated violence. 

Human trafficking, or trafficking in persons, is a major public health issue in the United States, yet limited prevention efforts exist. At its core, human trafficking involves recruiting or soliciting victims to perform labor or other commercial acts through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Human trafficking can involve exploitation for labor (labor trafficking) and for commercial sex acts (sex trafficking). People of all ages, including under the age of 18, can experience trafficking. While public health trafficking prevention efforts are still in their infancy, the CDC has multiple ongoing efforts in this area. As part of a larger portfolio focused on the prevention of child sexual abuse, multiple research projects are currently evaluating prevention programs for child sex trafficking in communities across the United States. In addition, CDC has a rich and ongoing working relationship with the Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), Administration for Children and Families to best apply the public health model to prevent trafficking. In addition, this partnership will provide opportunities to network and collaborate with individuals and organizations across the federal government in an effort to prevent human trafficking. 

The second focus of this fellowship is the emerging area of prevention of violence that occurs in online spaces. In particular, this fellowship will support ongoing work focused on understanding and identifying ways to prevent technology-facilitated sexual and intimate partner violence, as well as technology-facilitated human trafficking. The internet, and online spaces more broadly, provide opportunities for existing forms of violence (e.g., sexual violence) to be perpetrated in a different environment, while also allowing for new forms of violence to emerge (e.g., nonconsensual image sharing). Given how quickly technology moves, the understanding and prevention of these forms of violence is rapidly changing and growing as preventionists try to meet the needs of the field. 

Learning Objectives: This training opportunity involves learning experiences for the participant relevant to human trafficking and technology-facilitated violence. Under the guidance of a mentor and in collaboration with OTIP, the participant will:

• Learn about technology-facilitated violence, and in particular the role of technology related to sexual and intimate partner violence.
• Collaborate on  manuscripts related to rates and correlates of technology-facilitated sexual violence, risk of trafficking among certain groups at disproportionate risk (e.g., people experiencing homelessness), and use of technology in trafficking cases among other potential topics.
• Collaborate on qualitative and quantitative research projects focused on trafficking, technology-facilitated violence, and other topics related to sexual and intimate partner violence as available.
• Regularly attend meetings with CDC and OTIP colleagues to further research agendas.
• Collaborate on intramural research and potentially learn to engage with extramural funding recipients on projects related to trafficking.
• Develop oral presentation skills through presentations to colleagues from the Research and Evaluation Branch, the Division of Violence Prevention (DVP), and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC).
• Participate in DVP and NCIPC workgroups as suggested by the mentor.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders in NCIPC and among CDC's partners.

Mentor(s): The mentors for this opportunity are Colleen Ray (prg6@cdc.gov) and Cynthia (Nicole) White (twp2@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentors.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 6, 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 8 months, 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 currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree. Degree must have been received within the past five years or be currently pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Background knowledge and experience in at least one of the topical areas related to this fellowship, including: human trafficking, technology-facilitated violence, sexual violence, or intimate partner violence.
• Experience with qualitative or quantitative research, including analysis and interpretation of results.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to aid in interactions with colleagues and to disseminate findings (e.g., manuscripts, presentations).
• Ability to facilitate collaboration and feedback (e.g., conducting meetings, synthesizing and compiling information for reports or briefings).
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently on tasks.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • 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.)