CDC Training Fellowship in Molecular Pathology for Pathogen Diagnostics and Discovery

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) seeks fellows for a CDC opportunity in Atlanta, GA. The role focuses on mentor-guided training in molecular pathology for pathogen diagnostics, with exposure to PCR, sequencing, ISH, and data analysis within IDPB’s program.

Applicants should hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in relevant fields and have strong communication skills. The appointment lasts one year, with potential renewal, and requires U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree in molecular biology, genomics or related field.
• Experience with molecular pathology or pathogen diagnostics is desirable.
• Strong communication and data interpretation skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage in mentor-guided training in molecular pathology for pathogen diagnostics.
• Work with NGS workflows and data analysis to support pathogen detection.
• Participate in quality management and documentation practices in a CLIA-like lab setting.

Skills

Laboratory data management

Quality control

Statistical analysis

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree in Life Health and Medical Sciences / Genomics

Tools

NGS techniques

Excel

R

Python

UNIX/Linux

Job description

Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Reference Code

CDC-2026-0091

Application Deadline

9/30/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location

A fellowship opportunity is available at 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

This fellowship provides mentor-guided training in molecular pathology for pathogen diagnostics and discovery. This project contributes to Infectious Disease Pathology Brach (IDPB)’s molecular pathology program by applying molecular and sequencing-based methods to detect a broad range of pathogens in fixed tissues.

Under mentor guidance, you will gain experience with various diagnostic approaches, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, Sequencing, In Situ Hybridization (ISH), quality control review, and laboratory data analysis and documentation. The project may provide exposure to Sanger sequencing, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), PCR-based platforms such as QIAcuity digital PCR (dPCR) system, and data analysis approaches used to support reliable pathogen detection.

This project aligns with IDPB’s public health mission to develop, improve, evaluate, and apply laboratory technology to detect microbial agents for comprehensive pathology evaluation to support outbreak and epidemiological investigations.

Learning Objectives

• Gain experience in molecular testing methods, including PCR-based detection and pathogen-specific interpretation for clinical specimens.
• Participate in molecular method development including digital PCR, ISH, and NGS approaches for pathogen discovery and detection.
• Receive training in NGS workflow, including library preparation, Illumina/MinIon sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and pathogen identification approaches.
• Learn to evaluate, analyze, and interpret NGS data using appropriate software and analytical tools.
• Gain exposure to specimen review, quality control, and laboratory data documentation practices used in molecular diagnostics.
• Learn quality management principles and practice for CLIA laboratory, including SOP use, assay controls, stability assessment, and discrepancy review.
• Gain experience analyzing assay performance metrics using tools such as R, Python, or laboratory data management systems.
• Develop scientific communication skills through manuscripts, reports, and optional presentations of mentored research findings.
• Have potential opportunities to co-author posters/presentations/publications depending on contributions.
• Learn how to develop and implement laboratory robotics and automation in compliance with laboratory quality and safety programs.

Mentor(s)

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

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

September 21, 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, 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 a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (molecular biology, molecular genetics or genomics). Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience in next generation sequencing is highly preferable. Experience in developing technology/assays is also desirable.
• Familiarity with Excel, R, Python, and UNIX/Linus operating system, and methods for the handling, storage and analysis of next generation sequence data is beneficial.
• Effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing, are also beneficial.

Stipend

$65,271.00 – $78,972.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Rachel

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
• Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Anatomy
• Animal Sciences
• Basic Biomedical Sciences
• Bioinformatics
• Biology (General)
• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Medicine
• Developmental Biology
• Ecology
• Entomology
• Epidemiology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics, including Genome Sciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses
• Medicine
• Microbiology
• Neurosciences
• Nursing
• Occupational Health
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacy
• Population Medicine
• Public Health
• Structural Biology
• Toxicology
• Veterinary Sciences
• Virology
• Wildlife Sciences
• Zoology (General)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 )
• 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.)