CDC Molecular Biology Training Opportunity - Malaria and Parasitic Diseases Laboratory

Organization Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Reference Code CDC-2026-0050

How To Apply To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click 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.

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Application Deadline 10/9/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is available in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located in Atlanta, Georgia.

The training location will be the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Roybal campus in Atlanta, Georgia. You may also be trained in other laboratories in CDC as well as academic institutions within the US and overseas. This opportunity may involve both domestic and overseas travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC protects 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. CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish its mission, CDC conducts important science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.

Research Project: The Malaria laboratory supports malaria research and surveillance as well as control and prevention activities in the US and overseas. In addition, the laboratory is ramping up laboratory support for Chagas and Babesiosis surveillance. Activities include diagnostics to improve detection, surveillance for anti-malaria drug resistance and outbreak support. The Division collaborates with several disease programs within CDC, state public health laboratories and academic and research institutions within the US and overseas.

The laboratory’s goal is to develop molecular biology techniques and implement them in testing assays for malaria and other parasitic diseases such as Babesiosis and Chagas disease. A major part of the project involves next generation sequencing (NGS) including use of the Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and the Illumina NextSeq 1000/2000 platforms for malaria genomic testing.

Learning Objectives: The laboratory is seeking a fellow for a 1-year fellowship for the following training objectives, under the guidance of a mentor, with possible extension as funding permits:

• Training focus 1: Operationalize laboratory assay platforms - You will gain experience in ordering reagents and laboratory supplies, tracking inventory, and learning laboratory resource management practices. You will gain experience from safety points of contact in drafting CDC-compliant biological and chemical risk assessment forms relevant to laboratory assays. You will also learn to develop laboratory protocols and supporting documents based on published literature and other scientific information sources.
• Training focus 2: Operationalize the ONT analysis pipeline - You will learn to conduct testing and follow-up analyses using the ONT sequencing output, organize accurate tracking of ONT sequencing outputs, metadata, and results, and draft CDC-compliant analysis protocols and supporting documents based on published literature for utilizing the sequenced results.
• Training focus 3: Train on molecular testing using Illumina NextSeq 1000/2000, or other platforms - You will learn to test and analyze malaria parasite genomic sequences in support of Malaria Molecular Surveillance (MMS) and genotyping for diagnostic resistance markers using these platforms and to identify potential new markers of anti-malarial drug resistance.
• Training focus 4: Evaluate and validate the laboratory assays – You will gain experience on the optimization and adaptation of the NGS assays as needed by learning to design experiments to describe the assay performance including development of validation plans, conducting proposed experiments, analyzing results, and development of a validation report.
• Training focus 5: Development or adoption of established methods to test for Babesia, Chagas disease and malaria - You will receive training in using laboratory tests to support epidemiological investigations for Babesia, Chagas disease and malaria. You will learn the testing assays, conduct data analysis and collaborate with epidemiologists within and outside the division to generate actionable reports in support of these epidemiological investigations.
• Training focus 6: Implementation of quality management systems (QMS) for molecular assays and surveillance - You will receive training on all required CDC laboratory and method specific procedures and establish competency for assigned assays. You will also learn about quality assurance activities and how to compile data and information from the laboratory in compliance with CDC’s Quality Manual for Microbiological Laboratories (QMML)
• Training focus 7: You will gain experience in providing oral and written project updates for internal and external audiences, presenting at scientific meetings, and/or publishing in scientific journals.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Michael Aidoo (mha3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The 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 Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.

ORISE Information: This 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 CDCrpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills

• Molecular Biology experience
• Some experience in genomic sequencing, including next generation sequencing is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage time and effort.
• Demonstrated ability to compile and analyze laboratory-generated data
• Highly capable of tracking, summarizing, and reporting lab activities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and organizational skills
• Proficient use of different computer programs (Microsoft Office and lab analysis software)
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated success as a team player
• Ability to interact with individuals from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.

Point of Contact Rachel

Eligibility Requirements ">5 )

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).

• Discipline(s):

• Life Health and Medical Sciences (<a href="#" data-bs-toggle="popover" tabindex="0" role="button" data-bs-title="Life Health and Medical Sciences" data-bs-content="

  • Basic Biomedical Sciences
  • Biology (General)
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Genetics, including Genome Sciences
  • Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses

  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.)