CDC Superfund Site Reviews, Region 5 Office Fellowship

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Chicago, Illinois offers a research opportunity through ORISE to gain hands-on experience in environmental health assessments and health risk evaluation. The program emphasizes ATSDR’s PHAs and exposure data analysis within a federal framework.

Participants will work under mentorship, learn to review priority hazards for Superfund sites, and develop stakeholder engagement and communication skills for public health investigations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field or currently pursuing it.

Responsibilities

• Learn ATSDR’s approach to conducting public health assessments (PHAs).
• Evaluate available data to assess health risks from exposure to environmental contaminants.
• Network and gain communication experience through community outreach and coordination meetings with partners and key stakeholders.
• Learn about priority hazards and evolving science relevant to Superfund sites. Collaborate with ATSDR staff to understand current protocols for 5 Year Reviews.
• Gain experience in best practices and approaches to highlight priority issues, i.e., sites where protective clean-up levels have been lowered.
• Receive mentor guidance on reviews and identifying sites where follow-up PHA activity is needed.

Education

Master's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Reference Code: CDC-2026-0066

Application Deadline: 10/30/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

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 Chicago, Illinois.

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: EPA’s Five-Year Reviews are required by federal law for Superfund hazardous waste sites. The reviews are conducted to evaluate if a clean-up remedy still protects people and the environment. Communities may be at risk from chemical exposures at sites that were cleaned up, as new or different hazards may be present that were not as well understood when the public health assessment or health consultation was completed. ATSDR’s most important contribution to this process is to apply updated science to identify where new health hazards (such as vapor intrusion or changes in chemical toxicity) have emerged.

Learning Objectives

• Learn ATSDR’s approach to conducting public health assessments (PHAs).
• Evaluate available data to assess the potential for human health risks from exposure to environmental contaminants and gain experience with reviewing site histories, demographic data and the surrounding areas to inform the PHAs.
• Network and gain communication experience through community outreach and coordination meetings with partners and key stakeholders.
• Learn about priority hazards and evolving science relevant to Superfund sites. Collaborate with ATSDR staff to understand the current protocols for 5 Year Reviews.
• Gain experience in best practices and approaches to highlight priority issues, i.e., sites where protective clean-up levels have been lowered.
• Receive mentor guidance on reviews and identifying sites where follow-up PHA activity is needed.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is LaVedia Smith ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Fall 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length

The appointment will initially be for one year 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 [e-mail] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a master's degree in the one of the relevant fields