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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.

If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.CDC.NCIRD@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the Vaccine Preparedness Team within the Virology, Surveillance and Diagnosis Branch of the Influenza Division (ID), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) 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.

Research Project: The selected participant will play a role in the development of improved influenza vaccine candidate viruses and novel platforms for future vaccines. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in study design, data interpretation, manuscript writing and present research at national and international conferences.

Learning Objectives: The participant may have the opportunity to be trained in the following projects and the participant is encouraged to propose new projects to improve influenza vaccines:

• Develop influenza vaccines with improved efficacy and/or immunogenicity using novel platforms and strategies
• Develop methods for purification and analysis of proteins that will be used in influenza vaccine studies 
• Develop methods for purification and analysis of RNAs that will be used in influenza vaccine studies 
• Formulate proteins and RNAs with adjuvants or nanoparticles for vaccine studies in animals
• Conduct vaccine safety and efficacy evaluations in small animal models (mice and ferrets) in BSL2/3E laboratories
• Analyze receptor binding, antigenicity, and replication fitness of SARS-CoV-2 in multiple COVID-19 projects
• Establish and maintain ties with a broad range of epidemiological and laboratory researchers inside and outside of CDC

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Bin Zhou (nmb7@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2022. Start date is flexible.

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.

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 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 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 doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree anticipated to be received by 12/31/22. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

• Solid experience in at least one of the following areas: 
  • protein expression and purification
  • structure modeling and protein engineering
  • nanoparticles
  • immunology and antibody
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including contributing to co-authored scientific publications

The participant will present scientific findings at meetings and conferences both within and external to CDC.

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2022 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (1 )

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.)