Public Health, Epidemiology and Wastewater-based Infectious Disease Surveillance Fellowship
Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.
The Department of Defense (DoD) is offering a post master's internship at the Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen.
What will I be doing?
This fellowship will provide an educational experience to eligible post-master's graduates interested in the fields of public health, infectious disease, epidemiology, and surveillance. This opportunity is aimed at furthering knowledge of infectious disease surveillance, wastewater surveillance, genomic sequencing, and data collection, management and visualization.
Why should I apply?
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. Along the way, you will engage in activities and research in several areas. These include, but are not limited to,
- Learn how to communicate data and findings from a surveillance network to decision-makers, other researchers, and the public.
- Gain experiences within the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Branch of the DoD’s Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division (AFHSD) in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standardized data collection forms for infectious disease surveillance.
- Develop manuscripts and/or posters or oral presentations for academic conferences.
- Collaborate with DoD research laboratories both in the U.S. and abroad.
- Design, implement, and improve existing and future projects related to wastewater surveillance.
- Analyze large-scale data and summarize findings using statistical software (SAS, Python, R, and/or similar programs).
- Collaborate with team to improve standardization, utility, and public health potential of data systems related to wastewater surveillance
- Preparation of literature searches, scientific manuscripts, posters, presentations, and other information.
Where will I be located?
Silver Spring, Maryland
What is the anticipated start date?
October 1, 2024. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and internships or fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.
What is the appointment length?
Appointments are initially for one year with the option to extend the appointment for up to four additional years, contingent upon project needs and funding availability.
What are the benefits?
You will receive a stipend to be determined by DCPH-A. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include the following:
- Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
- Relocation Allowance
- Training and Travel Allowance
About DCPH-A
The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division (AFHSD) Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Branch funds biosurveillance capabilities at Department of Defense (DoD) laboratories and coordinates militarily relevant infectious disease surveillance worldwide, providing critical information for decision-making. In support of the DoD’s biodefense goals, the GEIS Branch coordinates and manages data generated from human, animal, environmental, and wastewater surveillance samples using cutting edge technology such as next-generation sequencing to detect and characterize novel and emerging pathogens. The GEIS Branch coordinates whole genome sequencing activities and a consortium of subject matter experts across DoD laboratories, contributing to pandemic preparedness and response for infectious disease threats to the Military Health System and Force. The individual in this role will translate data and information from wastewater surveillance by generating routine reports and other products to support DoD and public health decision-makers. For more information about the DCPH-A, please visit Home - Defense Centers for Public Health - Aberdeen.
About ORISE
This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (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 DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.
The qualified candidate will have a Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Biological Sciences, or similar field. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Highly competitive applicants will have education and/or experience in one or more of the following:
- Experience with data visualization, data management, programming, and analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, MS Excel, SAS, and R/R Studio).
- Experience with developing basic data collection tools, data dictionaries and minimum data elements preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills and strong oral and written communication skills.
- Understanding of data-related solutions.
Those with interest in infectious disease epidemiology, microbial genomics and next generation sequencing are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
A complete application consists of:
- Zintellect Profile
- Educational and Employment History
- Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
- Resume (PDF)
- Transcripts/Academic Records - For this opportunity, an unofficial
- transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- Two Recommendations. We encourage you to contact your recommenders as soon as you start your application to ensure they are able to complete the recommendation form and to let them know to expect a message from Zintellect. Recommenders will be asked to rate your scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe how they know you. You can always log back in to your Zintellect account and check the status of your application.
If you have questions, send an email to ARMY-PHC@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [DCPH-A-2024-0001] in the subject line of the email. Please understand that ORISE does not review applications or select applicants; selections are made by the sponsoring agency identified on this opportunity. All application materials should be submitted via the “Apply” button at the bottom of this opportunity listing. Please do not send application materials to the email address above.
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