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 available in 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.

CDC's Office of Rural Health (ORH) works to improve health in America’s rural communities by advancing a rural public health strategy and integrating rural health approaches and science in CDC’s major programs. This work includes developing and disseminating best practices and guidance to address rural public health needs, collaborating with partners to provide data, technical assistance, and training, and championing the work being done to support rural health.

Research Project: This training opportunity will provide learning experiences to support health marketing and communication activities within ORH and health communication research in a rural health priority area that may include considerations for tribal populations. This research will involve conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, and data analysis using best practices for qualitative methods.

Materials Development:

The participant will draw upon public health training and experience to recommend, develop, and help promote health education resources and tools for rural, and potentially tribal, communities that can be shared and used across multiple formats – including via innovative print, video, and web for intended audiences. The participant will help with framing and building out rural health communication materials to promote ORH’s mission and research.

This fellowship will provide an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on rural public health initiatives across CDC. If you have a passion for rural public health and can contribute to a culture of innovation and excellence, we invite you to apply to join our dynamic team.

Learning Objectives: The learning objectives for the Rural Public Health Communication opportunity include:

1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of public health communication research methods and best practices for demographic analyses.
2. Use health communication science and theory and clear communication principles in developing health messaging for communications materials and products for intended audiences.  
3. Acquire skills in determining effective channels for disseminating public health communication resources focused on rural (and potentially tribal) populations, including the rural public health workforce.
4. Develop proficiency in coordinating multidisciplinary staff and stakeholders to support health communication initiatives and research endeavors in rural public health.
5. Learn how to coordinate and participate in meetings.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Pamela Bryant (hei0@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 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 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.PHIC@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields (public health, health communication, behavioral or social sciences, or a related field). Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills:

• A background in health education/communication and promotion and/or behavioral science.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis. 
• Experience in project management, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in communication product development is a plus.
• Be an enthusiastic self-starter with strong organizational skills.
• Be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.
• Be able to demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.
• Have a strong desire to learn new skills and apply them in a real-world setting.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Academic Level(s): Post-Master's.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (3 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (1 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (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.)