CDC Influenza Vaccine Innovation and Preparedness Fellowship

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-ID-2019-0183
How to 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.

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

Application Deadline
9/4/2019 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is currently available with the Virology, Surveillance and Diagnosis Branch (VSDB) of the Influenza Division (ID), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The Vaccine Preparedness Team within the Virology, Surveillance and Diagnosis Branch is seeking a qualified individual to join a team focused on influenza vaccine research and development. The selected participant will play a critical role in the development of new approaches to generate and improve influenza vaccine candidate viruses in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) good laboratory practice (GLP) regulations and WHO recommendations. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in study design, data interpretation, manuscript writing and will present research at national and international conferences.

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

  • Develop universal influenza vaccines or broadly reactive influenza vaccines
  • Develop influenza vaccines with improved efficacy and/or immunogenicity using novel platforms and strategies
  • Develop new strategies for improving influenza vaccine stability and antigen yield in eggs and qualified cells
  • Develop new methods or systems to improve efficiency of influenza virus rescue by reverse genetics
  • Preparation of influenza vaccines in compliance with good laboratory practice (GLP) regulations
  • Conduct influenza genomic sequencing, analyze and interpret the data
  • Conduct vaccine studies in small animal models (mice and ferrets) in Biosafety Level 2 & 3 laboratories
  • Establish and maintain collaborations with a broad range of epidemiological and laboratory researchers inside and outside of CDC

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 30, 2019;  start date is flexible

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 CDC. The initial appointment can be up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC 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 CDC in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, with an emphasis in virology or infectious diseases, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by December 2019. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

  • Strong communication skills with previous experience drafting peer-reviewed publications
  • Ability to follow laboratory protocols, and excellent laboratory record keeping skills
  • Experience with virus rescue, isolation, propagation, titration, and genomic amplification (RT-PCR)
  • Experience conducting research in BSL-2 or higher BSL conditions 
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2019 11:59:00 PM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
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