CDC AMD Laboratory Research Internship

CDC Office and Location: This research opportunity is available with the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch (RZB), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Research Project: RZB is responsible for investigations into the pathogenesis, distribution, and control of unique obligate intracellular bacteria from the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Orientia, and Coxiella which are transmitted by infected ticks, fleas, lice, and mites. As part of these efforts, RZB has recently implemented a project to expand and improve tick surveillance in the United States through the development and implementation of advanced molecular techniques for pathogen detection and tick species identification for medically important, human-biting ticks.

Learning Objectives: The participant will learn molecular biology techniques and testing strategies for the high-throughput extraction of DNA from multiple metastriate tick species as well as sample preparation for next-generation sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Initial efforts will be in the development of efficient workflows and assay validation for metastriate ticks and pathogens that are harmonious with the strategy developed for prostriate ticks and their pathogens elsewhere in the division. These activities will progress into high throughput screening of ticks and their pathogens from across the United States.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Sandor Karpathy (evu2@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as a qualified candidate is identified.  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: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. 

Citizenship Requirements: This 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 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 ORISE.CDC.NCEZID@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees and will reach completion by the start date of the appointment. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills: