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 HHSrpp@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is currently available with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) located in Rockville, Maryland.

OASH provides leadership to the nation on public health and science matters, and communicates on these subjects to the American people. OASH is a Staff Division in HHS that performs both policy and program roles and is led by the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH), whose chief mission is promoting, protecting, and improving the  nation’s health. For additional information, please visit: http://www.hhs.gov/ash/.

ODPHP, strategically placed in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, has been leading the alignment of disease prevention and health promotion activities across the department for more than 30 years. Within ODPHP, the Division of Prevention Science coordinates departmental efforts in the development of 1) Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which form the cornerstone of Federal nutrition policy, are the basis of Federal food, nutrition, and health programs, and are issued jointly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) every five years since 1980; and 2) the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG), which provide science-based recommendations and summarize the latest knowledge about physical activity and health.

The selected participant will learn about Prevention Science and gain professional knowledge in a health policy setting. The Division of Prevention Science physical activity group is currently focused on three key activities: 1) implementing the National Youth Sports Strategy, 2) expanding the Move Your Way materials for youth and women who are pregnant and postpartum, and 3) disseminating the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. The participant will have the opportunity to be involved with all of these activities.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant may also be involved in the following activities:

• Supporting implementation of a National Youth Sports Strategy by fostering partnerships and expanding collaboration with youth sports organizations
• Observing research to inform and develop additional resources for the Move Your Way communications campaign
• Researching, writing, and editing activities for Move Your Way campaign with the National Youth Sports Strategy through research, writing, and editing
• Contributing to the planning and execution of 3-4 youth sports roundtable meetings
• Participating in cross-agency, federal, and outside expert meetings
• Learning to review team projects in the area of disease prevention and health promotion
• Contributing to the development of responses for Departmental correspondence and clearances
• Participating in Division of Prevention Science meetings, contributing to program development and implementation
• Contributing to Departmental prevention efforts

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2, 2020

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and HHS. The initial appointment can be up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of HHS contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at HHS in the Rockville, Maryland, area. Participants do not become employees of HHS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

• Ability to present information, both orally and written, for various audiences in clear and concise formats
• Ability to conduct research independently as well as with a team

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (27 )