CDC Environmental Microbiologist Fellowship

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCEZID-DHQP-2022-0416
How to Apply

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A complete application consists of:
  • An application
  • 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.

Application Deadline
2/16/2023 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and LocationA research opportunity is currently available in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) within the National Center for Zoonotic and Emerging Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 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.

Research Project: The Clinical and Environmental Microbiology Branch (CEMB) is the laboratory branch in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP). The mission of DHQP is to protect patients; protect healthcare personnel; and promote safety, quality, and value in both national and international healthcare delivery systems. The Healthcare Environment Applied Research Team (HEART) in CEMB is seeking applications for an ORISE Fellow to train in the Sampling, Persistence, and Transfer Lab.  

The fellow will join the HEART team as an Environmental Microbiologist to assist/train in performing applied research to understand the role of the healthcare environment in transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. The fellow will train in development & evaluation of environmental sampling and laboratory processing procedures for detection of pathogens from healthcare environmental surfaces, hands, and water. Projects will involve training in identification and characterization of healthcare associated infection pathogens and emerging pathogens, and application of molecular tools for characterization of pathogens' antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Learning Objectives: The fellow will gain experience collaborating with other teams and branches within DHQP and in communicating findings with CDC colleagues and public health partners.
 
Mentor(s)The mentor(s) for this opportunity is Janna (Carrie) Whitworth (vyu1@cdc.gov). Please contact them if you have questions about the nature of this research.
 
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Early 2023.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
 
Appointment LengthThe 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 ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.
 
Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. 
 
Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
 
ORISE InformationThis 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.NCEZID@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g., Microbiology, Biology, Public Health, Laboratory Sciences), or be currently pursuing the degree with completion before the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred Skills:

  • Familiarity with aseptic technique, standard culturing of bacteria and plating, and performing molecular biology (RT-qPCR), including the detection of healthcare-related pathogens, such as nontuberculous mycobacteria and antibiotic resistant bacteria, from a simulated hospital environment or the environment using molecular and culture-based methods.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, particularly excel.
  • Demonstrated organizational and communications skills, including preparation of written materials such as documents and reports.
  • Candidate should have a demonstrated ability to work efficiently, both independently and as part of a team.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (10 )
Affirmation

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.)

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