CDC Fellowship: Vaccine-Preventable Disease Preparedness and Response

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia offers a ten‑month full‑time research opportunity focused on public health immunization initiatives.

Fellows work across the cholera and typhoid vaccine teams and global immunization safety projects to gain hands‑on experience in outbreak preparedness and vaccine safety surveillance.

Qualifications

• The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (Public Health, Epidemiology or similar).
• Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or similar

Job description

Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Reference Code

CDC-2026-0131

Application Deadline

12/4/2026 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) 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.

Research Project

The cholera and typhoid vaccine team (TCVT) and the global immunization safety team (VST) are in the Global Immunization Division (GID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The fellowship is shared equally across the two teams allowing you to gain a broader experience across global immunization, with a particular focus on vaccination in public health emergencies and strengthening immunization systems.

The TCVT acts to prevent cholera and typhoid morbidity and mortality by advancing science and strategies to inform the effective use of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) and typhoid-conjugate vaccine (TCV). Since 2021, cholera outbreaks have surged globally with higher case fatality rates, including resurgences in cholera endemic areas and outbreaks in areas that haven’t seen cholera for decades. Although providing safe water and sanitation and improving hygiene are the mainstays of cholera prevention, OCV can help prevent outbreaks in high-risk areas and respond to active cholera outbreaks, particularly where implementation of WASH activities is challenging. OCV is moderately protective (~65%) and is typically administered through campaigns providing two doses at least 14 days apart to individuals >1 year old living in a high-risk area. The TCVT is currently supporting cholera rapid diagnostic test integration into routine national surveillance in four countries to improve timely detection and response, introduction and effective use of OCV and TCV in endemic countries, including for outbreak response, and review of campaign implementation strategies.

The Global Immunization Safety Team (GIST) supports access to safe immunizations, ensures public confidence in immunization programs worldwide. The team supports countries especially in low-middle income countries monitor and ensure the safety of vaccinations by supporting the detection of and response to emerging vaccine safety concerns.

You would primarily gain experience with the finalization and pilot evaluation of the OCV campaign readiness assessment tool in Mozambique and DRC and learn about approaches used to support priority countries in strengthening cholera outbreak response in line with the 7-1-7 guidelines. This may include participation in a project evaluating the effectiveness, feasibility, and cost of local, timely cholera outbreak response approaches in Mozambique, in collaboration with other cholera teams across CDC. You will gain experience with ongoing immunization safety surveillance activities, including vaccine safety assessment tool development, literature reviews, training material development, data management and analysis, and manuscript development. You may also learn about approaches used to support the completion and implementation of vaccine-related event (VRE) plans in partner countries.

Learning Objectives

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to gain field epidemiology, evaluation, communication, and collaboration, skills. You will gain a detailed understanding of the components of vaccine campaign implementation, including the challenges, limitations, and impact on routine immunization systems. You will have the opportunity to gain experience with the design, implementation, and analysis of immunization-related research and evaluation activities. You will gain experience collaborating with international public health partners and Ministries of Health and learn about approaches used to implement immunization projects and campaigns internationally. You will be encouraged to communicate your findings through presentations within CDC and more broadly, and through contributions to manuscripts and other scientific dissemination activities.

Mentor(s)

The mentor for this opportunity is Lucy Breakwell ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

November 2, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length

The appointment will initially be for ten months, 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (Public Health, Epidemiology or similar). Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Point of Contact

Rachel

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences
    • Epidemiology
    • Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses
    • Population Medicine
    • Public Health

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.)