Examination of RSV Correlates of Protection and Immunity

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCIRD-2019-0055
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
3/29/2019 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

A fellowship opportunity is available in the Respiratory Viruses Branch (RVB), Division of Viral Diseases (DVD), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The opportunity is specifically located in the respiratory viruses immunology team, which consists of 8 scientists and a team lead. The team's laboratory space is located on the Roybal campus in Atlanta. The other teams in the branch include the Pathogen Discovery laboratory team, a molecular diagnostic laboratory team, a surveillance and outbreak support epidemiology team, and an RSV epidemiology team. Projects in the branch are collaborative, and the applicant will have the opportunity to interact with these interdisciplinary teams.

In this project, the fellow will be examining antigenic sites on respiratory syncytial virus proteins through sequencing and sero-surveillance.

The research participant will be studying antibody responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a significant respiratory virus that causes significant disease burden in young children and older adults. There are no licensed vaccines or antivirals, though there is a monoclonal antibody prophylaxis available to high risk infants. Correlates of immunity and protection against medically attended infection are not well defined. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in: sequencing currently circulating strains of RSV, designing and generating recombinant proteins, identifying antigenic sites within viral proteins, and testing antibody responses to current and historic strains of RSV within sero-surveillance studies.

The participant will be provided training and development in the following:

  • Viral sequencing,
  • Antigenic mapping
  • Antibody responses to natural infection

The fellow will have the opportunity to execute viral immunology research projects in the setting of public health agency.

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 must have received a master's or doctoral degree in microbiology, immunology, or a related discipline. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

  • Strong background in molecular virology or viral immunology
  • Previous experience with sequencing, sequencing analysis and cloning skills
  • Some experience with viral propagation, recombinant protein expression, and basic immunology techniques such as ELISAS and neutralization assays
  • Strong written and oral communication skills with a publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
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