Create and release your Profile on Zintellect – Postdoctoral applicants must create an account and complete a profile in the on-line application system. Please note: your resume/CV may not exceed 2 pages.
Complete your application – Enter the rest of the information required for the IC Postdoc Program Research Opportunity. The application itself contains detailed instructions for each one of these components: availability, citizenship, transcripts, dissertation abstract, publication and presentation plan, and information about your Research Advisor co-applicant.
Additional information about the IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program is available on the program website located at: https://orise.orau.gov/icpostdoc/index.html.
If you have questions, send an email to ICPostdoc@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
Research Topic Description, including Problem Statement:
Near real-time whole-genome sequencing of emerging pathogens has become possible in the last decade through the combination of high-throughput next generation sequencing, world-wide connectivity to the internet, and low-cost cloud computing and storage. This new global capability to collect and share massive amounts of pathogen data has been effectively demonstrated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Within the first two weeks following reporting of the potential outbreak in Wuhan multiple whole-genomes of the virus were available online. In the months since, thousands of viral genomes have been sequenced and made publicly available. This massive quantity of genetic data has enabled and driven global research activities at a pace never realized during any previous pandemic. This availability of data has also led to new capabilities to track virus transmission and movement at a country and regional scale. Tools, such as NextStrain, have demonstrated such abilities to compare different genomes and map mutations, enabling the prediction of viral species and variants between countries and continents. While many of these modeling processes are effective at regional or country scales, they often fail to accurately model individual-to-individual transmission due to the limited number of directly correlated sequences and the transient state of mutations associated with wide-scale transmission. The goal of research associated with this topic should focus on improved understanding of these individual-to-individual mutations across a population and the bioinformatics and software tools for modeling and even predicting these changes.
Example Approaches:
As referenced in the topic paragraph, NextStrain and similar approaches have leveraged data predominately from clinical human samples. While these clinical samples align with the public health need, they are not ideal for a controlled research activity within the IC Postdoc program due to the numerous uncontrolled variables associated with such samples, increased costs, and PII/IRB requirements often associated with collecting or storing these type of samples. Additionally, approaches and models should be extensible outside of just transmission within individuals of the same species to include other intra- and inter-species transmission modeling. As such, some alternative approaches to study this phenomenon would include models leveraging laboratory transmission studies for well-controlled environments or samples collected from zoonotic or domestic animals.
Relevance to the Intelligence Community:
Retrospective analysis of genomic data associated with infectious spread has provided insight towards attribution and timeline. For example, a limited number of criminal cases have used molecular analysis of HIV to corroborate the intentional spread from one individual to another of the virus. Building upon this retrospective and individualistic approach, approaches which can dive deeper than a regional or even city level could better inform the IC on potential transmission mechanism (natural or intentional spread), transmission rate (super spreader events), and potentially transmission routes (air, ground, or sea). Advances aligning to some or all of these information spaces, via real time analysis, would improve the IC’s biosecurity and biodefense stance when dealing with future biological events.
Key Words: Infectious Disease, Contract Tracing, Next Generation Sequencing, Forensics, Individual-to-Individual Transmission
ORISE GO
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
You gave a rating of 0 star(s)
SECURITY/PRIVACY NOTICE
By continuing to use this system you indicate your awareness of and consent to the following terms and conditions of use. LOGOUT IMMEDIATELY if you do not agree to the conditions stated in this warning.
SECURITY NOTICE
This system is part of a Federal information system. This system is monitored for security purposes to ensure it remains available to all users and to protect information in the system. The system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized activities. By accessing this system, you are expressly consenting to these monitoring activities. Unauthorized attempts to defeat or circumvent security features; to use the system for other than intended purposes; to deny service to authorized users; to access, obtain, alter, damage, or destroy information; to upload or change information; to otherwise cause system or information damage; or otherwise to interfere with the system or its operation, is prohibited. Evidence of such acts may be dis-closed to law enforcement authorities and result in prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 1996, or other applicable laws.
PRIVACY NOTICE
This system is for authorized use only. Use of this system constitutes consent to security monitoring and testing. All activity is logged with your host name and IP address. Users (authorized or unauthorized) have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and dis-closed to authorized site and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion of authorized site or law enforcement personnel. Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in administrative disciplinary action and civil and criminal penalties.
You have been inactive on this page for . You will be logged out after 03:00:00.
Select an icon below to visit the website and download an appropriate browser.
For help, please email Zintellect@orau.org.
Question: What is the deadline for submitting an application?
Answer: Not all opportunities have application deadlines. Some opportunities remain open until they are filled. If an opportunity has an application deadline, then it will be listed in the opportunity details or in the opportunity catalog.
Question: How do I reset my password?
Answer: If you have forgotten your password or wish to reset your password, use the "Forgot password or username?" tab on the login to reset it.
Question: I forgot my username. How do I retrieve it?
Answer: Use the "Forgot password or username?" tab on the login. You will receive an email containing your username.
Question: What do I need to submit an application?
Answer: Typically, applicants are required to submit a resume or CV, an official copy of their transcripts or academic record, and a minimum of two references at the time they apply. Additional requirements such as a writing sample, thesis or dissertation, etc. may be required. Review the opportunity details for additional information about the requirements for applying for an opportunity.
Question: Where do I upload my transcripts?
Answer: If required, you will be asked to upload your transcript as a part of the application process.
Question: Where do I submit a writing sample?
Answer: If required, you will be asked to upload a writing sample as part of the application process.
Question: Can a family member serve as a reference?
Answer: No; family members may not serve as references. References must be able to speak to your educational and/or professional experience. At least one academic reference is preferred.
Our Zintellect A.I. is constantly learning how to Match you to our opportunities! So, we want to know when we get it right or when we get it wrong. This will help us make our better! Plus, as a potential applicant to one of our many opportunities across the country, we value you and want to help you on your career path!
