CDC Strategic Partner Engagement Fellow Opportunity

Oak Ridge Associated Universities; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

CDC invites qualified candidates to apply for a mentored ORISE training opportunity in Atlanta, GA. Under a CDC mentor, you will gain experience in public health partnership evaluation, science communication, strategic planning, qualitative analysis, and performance measurement to support infectious disease prevention.

Under guidance, you will learn to map partner interests to priorities, develop briefing materials for leadership and experts, and gain skills in translating scientific data into

Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant field; must be received within the past five years or anticipated by 12/31/2026.

Responsibilities

• Participate in partner meetings and briefings.
• Map partner interests to DFWED priorities.
• Conduct environmental scans and qualitative analyses.
• Develop briefing materials for CDC leadership and subject-matter experts.
• Learn to translate scientific data into program stories.

Skills

Oral & written comms

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Partner communications

Public health experience

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Reference Code

CDC-2026-0138

CDC Office and Location

A research opportunity is available within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of the Director of CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED), 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.

Research Project

A mentored ORISE training opportunity is available within the Office of the Director of CDC's Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED). Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain experience in public health partnership evaluation, science communication, strategic planning, qualitative analysis, performance measurement, and evidence-informed approaches used to support infectious disease prevention efforts. Through interactions with CDC staff and external partners, you will learn how public health organizations use partnerships, communication approaches, public health data, and evaluation methods to support evidence-based decision making and infectious disease prevention efforts.

Under a mentor’s guidance, you will learn about strategic planning, issues management, and project proposals; observing and participating in partner meetings, briefings, site visits, and jointly hosted events as learning opportunities; gaining exposure to approaches used to develop briefing materials for CDC leadership and subject matter experts. Additional learning activities will include learning approaches used to map partner interests to DFWED priorities, conducting environmental scans and qualitative analyses, and gaining experience using performance metrics and other public health data to understand and evaluate program and partnership activities. You will also gain experience examining collaboration and partnership approaches used in public health settings and develop science communication skills through learning how scientific data and program information are translated for diverse audiences.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases advances prevention of infectious diseases through public-health partnerships.
• Gain an understanding of how public-health science and program priorities inform strategic partner engagement.
• Observe and participate in partner meetings, briefings, site visits, and jointly hosted events as learning opportunities, and gain exposure to approaches used to develop materials for CDC leadership and subject-matter experts.
• Learn approaches used to map partner interests to program priorities and understand how organizations identify opportunities to strengthen internal and external collaborations.
• Build experience conducting environmental scans and qualitative analyses and learning how performance metrics are used to evaluate partnership and program activities.
• Develop science-communication skills through learning how complex scientific and program information is translated into fact sheets, publications, web content, and program stories, with opportunities for mentored practice.

Mentor(s)

The mentor for this opportunity is Lyn Nguyen ([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 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.

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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026.

Preferred Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills
• Excellent team and partner communications skills
• Interest or experience working in foodborne, waterborne, parasitic, and environmental diseases

Point of Contact

Rachel

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026 12:00:00 AM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design
  • Communications
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences

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.)