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
• Two educational or professional references

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.

A research fellowship opportunity is currently available in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Minority Health (OMH), in Rockville, MD.

OMH (http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov) aims to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that help to eliminate health disparities; advise the Secretary on the developed policies and programs; and serve as the DHHS focal point for leadership, policy exchange, and coalition and partnership-building.

OMH meets its mission and objectives by fostering partnerships and implementing activities in the following areas: Awareness; Data; Partnerships and Networks; Policies, Programs and Practices; and Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluation in the following ways:

• Supporting the development and implementation of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that address disparities and equity.

• Implementing the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. The Office of Minority Health is spearheading the charge to put the HHS Disparities Action Plan into practice.
• Coordinating the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities and the National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health.

Specifically, the fellow will provide research, evaluation, writing and technical support to planning, development, and implementation of three key OMH’s initiatives: (1) The Youth Health Equity Participatory Model of Practice seeks to inform policy on the opportunities, challenges, and promising practices for integrating emerging health professionals in efforts to reduce health disparities among young adults; and (2) The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (The National CLAS Standards), which aim to improve health care quality and advance health equity by establishing a framework for organizations to serve the nation's increasingly diverse communities, and (3) the OMH Center for Linguistic and Cultural Competence in Health Care’s Think Cultural Health initiative which strives to Advance Health Equity at Every Point of Contact through the development and promotion of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

The fellow will be involved in a wide range of research activities pertinent to the development and implementation of program policies, processes, and strategies that aim to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity. As part of the research fellowship, the participant will gain knowledge of the federal government and experience in the development of public health policies, programs and partnerships.

The fellow will have the opportunity to be involved in the following activities:

• Researching and synthesizing information on topics such as promising practices for promoting health equity through systematic change, systematic approaches for assessing equity impacts of policies, and promising practices for reducing health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations.

• Providing general research and technical support on a variety of topics related to health disparities.

• Identifying and developing informational materials in English and Spanish that educate consumers, industry, and other stakeholders of OMH TCH/CLAS program, project initiatives, and OMH E-learning curriculums.

• Gathering, analyzing, and reporting data describing policies, protocols, program data, and/or other evaluative information.

• Conducting technical research and coordinating planning for developing a Youth Health Equity participatory model of practice for educating and engaging emerging health professionals to build both the diversity of the workforce and the capability of the workforce to address health disparities.

• Supporting/coordinating/implementing special projects, programs and initiatives based on new or existing partnerships with other federal and community partners.

• Reviewing and recommending improvements to program standards, policies, strategies, goals, and measures to assess program performance.

• Developing program evaluations and other research protocols to address specific program and/or policy implementation or other research questions.

• Drafting, reviewing, and supporting project/program proposals to ensure alignment with HHS and OMH strategic priorities.

• Drafting, reviewing, and preparing reporting materials that accurately reflect outcomes and clearly demonstrate the impact of the programs, initiatives, and policies on the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly young adults.

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 is for 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 Washington, D.C. area. Participants do not become employees of HHS or the program administrator, and there are no fringe benefits paid.

• A Master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field, or in public health, public policy, public administration, or political science, received within the last five years.
• Experience in evaluation and research, analytics, and communication (oral and written) is desired.
• Experience working with and understanding of Spanish speaking communities.

• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (16 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (13 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )