Overview

*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 Atlanta, Georgia. This project will be part of the Policy, Partnerships, and Strategic Communications Team.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works to protect 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.

Research Project: Hosted by the Division of Oral Health and under the guidance of a mentor, the participant may gain experience in:

Collaborating with staff to analyze programmatic data and develop novel ways of framing this information to highlight program impact, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness.
Researching and gathering information for use in briefings, meetings, hearings, and other products.
Train and collaborate on development of a policy agenda to promote oral health.
Analyzing established and proposed federal, state, or local laws and regulations.
Train on developing a range of communications materials to promote the release of Division products, including but not limited to issue briefs, infographics, and fact sheets.
Gain experience coordinating with partners to disseminate information and products.
Reviewing and developing content for the web as well as social media to enhance knowledge in focus areas.
Learning Objectives: This opportunity will provide the candidate with practical experience in policy, partner development, and communications. They will develop subject matter expertise in oral health while refining transferrable skills.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Nicole Johnson (nbg5@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 3, 2025. 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: 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, 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.NCCDPHP@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor’s or 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 7/31/2025.

Preferred skills:

Knowledge of public health
Experience developing talking points and impact statements that reflect program strategy and priorities
Ability to respond to inquiries in a timely and efficient manner
Ability to perform within tight deadlines to formulate responses that are technically correct and easily understood by outside audiences
Experience with public health programs
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent organizational skills