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 fellowship opportunity is available with the Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division (CORVD) of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) 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 agencies and operations component 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 mission of the NCIRD is the prevention of disease, disability, and death through immunization and by control of respiratory and related diseases. Read More about NCIRD and its Divisions at https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/index.html

Research Project: The CORVD strives to improve health by preventing illness, disability, and death from respiratory viruses. The fellow will collaborate with a team of health communicators to identify and implement effective communication and outreach strategies to inform the public of risks and prevention measures for respiratory virus infections. 

The primary project involves collaborating with a communication team to evaluate the effectiveness of digital communication of health promotion and disease prevention messages, including analyzing data from web, social media, and traditional media to develop recommendations for future practice. The fellow also will have opportunities to enhance quantitative and qualitative reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving, communication, and team collaboration skills.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will participate in learning opportunities that may include:

• Communication research: Assist with researching consumer knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs on vaccination and other infectious disease prevention topics, identify knowledge gaps, and propose materials needed to address these knowledge gaps.
• Evaluation: Assist with tracking communications data and developing reports that document the reach of communication materials.
• Communication planning, material development and dissemination: Translate scientific research and data into consumer-focused materials, including writing fact sheets, web content and social media. Assist with planning major communication initiatives.
• Web: Analyze web usage data to develop recommendations for improving communication practices and adding needed content.
• Social media: Support monitoring of social media channels and develop content for their use (messages, photos, video).
• Media: Assist with developing materials for media outreach and evaluating media coverage.
• Partnerships: Assist with partnership activities, identifying opportunities to expand collaborations and to develop new partnerships.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Demorah Hayes (kuf2@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 1, 2024. 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, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the ORISE Immigration Services webpage for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

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

The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in the one of the relevant fields (public health with a concentration in health education, behavioral science, health promotion, health communication or health/science journalism, or related field) within the past five years or be currently pursuing a master's degree and expect to complete all requirements for such a degree prior to starting the fellowship.

Preferred skills:

• Strong writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills, especially use of plain language principles.
• Experience in communication principles, methods, practices and techniques and analytical methods to execute and measure health communication campaigns and outreach efforts.
• Experience in health communication research.
• Experience in public health or translating science-based information for the public.
• Innovative, creative, and a fast learner. 

• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Academic Level(s): Graduate Students or Post-Master's.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (4 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (7 )

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.)