Scientific Support Innovation Team Fellowship in CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health

Organization Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Reference Code CDC-2026-0044

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.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

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 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.

The Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) and School-based Surveillance Branch (SBSB) supports adolescent health with surveillance activities (or school and youth surveys), programmatic support, research and evaluation. We also rely heavily on policy, partnerships, and communications strategies. The Survey Operations Team is responsible for providing technical assistance to survey coordinators on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and School Health Profiles (Profiles) and making updates and enhancements to the surveys. We prioritize superior data collection and quality, analysis and dissemination.

Research Project: Throughout the course of this opportunity, you will learn to coordinate and conduct epidemiological studies to identify and analyze public health issues and their implications for scientific research and public policy using the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and School Health Profiles data. Training activities will include learning surveillance methods and strategies for collecting and using scientific data to describe major health risks or evaluate scientific studies, while also collaborating on the development of comprehensive statistical and analytic reports using sociological, behavioral, demographic, and epidemiologic techniques. You will collaborate closely with analysts and statisticians to produce joint analyses and publications, prepare detailed reports from national surveillance systems that assess data quality, explain methodologies, and interpret findings in relation to the health issue under study, and disseminate research results broadly through publications, peer-reviewed journals, scientific summaries, manuscripts, special reports, and presentations at professional meetings and conferences.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will develop your ability to coordinate and conduct epidemiological studies, identify key public health issues, and analyze their implications for policy and population health. You will gain skills in preparing comprehensive analytic reports grounded in national surveillance data, evaluating data quality, describing methodological approaches, and interpreting findings in relation to epidemiologic questions. You will strengthen collaboration with analysts and statisticians to produce joint analyses and scientific publications, while also building capacity to disseminate research findings across multiple formats, including manuscripts, peer-reviewed journals, summaries, and special reports. Additionally, you will learn to effectively present and communicate epidemiologic results to scientific audiences at professional meetings and conferences.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Malaika Washington (pzp9@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

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

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years, 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 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 be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.

Preferred Skills

• Doctoral (or Master's) level degree: major study in an academic field related to epidemiology, health sciences, or allied sciences.
• One year experience developing and leading surveillance and epidemiologic projects, strategies, and analyses.
• Good organizational, communication, and writing skills.
• Experience or knowledge in leadership abilities including project management skills.
• Experience or knowledge in quantitative analyses experience using SAS and SUDAAN software packages.
• Experience or knowledge in analyzing complex surveillance data.
• Experience or knowledge coordinating and collaborating with internal and external partners.

Point of Contact Rachel

Eligibility Requirements ">2 )

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree.

• 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="

  • Epidemiology

  • Public Health- Mathematics and Statistics (1 )

    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (7 )

      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.)