CDC Extreme Weather and Health Fellowship

Overview

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice (DEHSP) of the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) 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 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: This training opportunity will provide you with hands-on experience in extreme weather and health surveillance, research translation, and public health data applications related to extreme weather and human health. Under the guidance of CDC scientists and SMEs, you will gain practical experience in analyzing environmental health data, exploring health surveillance tools, and learning how scientific information is translated into resources that support public health practice. Appointment Activities:

Participate in training related to extreme weather and health surveillance methods, environmental public health data systems, and extreme weather impacts on health.
Learn approaches used to explore, summarize, and interpret extreme weather, environmental, and public health datasets associated with heat and other extreme weather events.
Observe and collaborate on the evaluation and enhancement of extreme weather and health data visualization tools, including the HeatRisk Tool and Heat and Health Tracker, under mentor guidance.
Participate in collaborative discussions with CDC scientists and partners to gain insight into interagency approaches for extreme weather and health research and surveillance.
Gain experience in reviewing and summarizing scientific literature and emerging evidence on extreme weather and health topics.
Develop skills in preparing scientific summaries, presentations, briefing materials, and educational resources for technical and public health audiences.
Participate in scientific meetings, webinars, and professional development activities to increase understanding of environmental health science, public health surveillance, and science communication.
Learning Objectives:

Develop a foundational understanding of extreme weather and health surveillance systems and the use of environmental and public health data to examine the impacts of extreme weather.
Gain experience applying epidemiologic, environmental health, and data analysis principles to extreme weather and health questions.
Strengthen skills in scientific literature review, research synthesis, and the translation of scientific findings for diverse audiences.
Increase proficiency in communicating technical information through presentations, briefing materials, and written summaries.
Learn how multidisciplinary and interagency collaborations contribute to extreme weather and health research, surveillance, and public health preparedness.
Enhance professional competencies in public health research, data interpretation, and science communication that support future careers in environmental and public health.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Claudia Brown (wyn3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 1, 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.

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 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 CDCrpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursing a master’s degree in one of the relevant fields (Public Health, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Science, or a closely related field). Degree must have been received within the past five years, or be currently pursuing.

Candidates with graduate-level research experience involving extreme weather, climate change, environmental exposures, health outcomes, public health data systems, or science translation are strongly preferred.

Preferred skills:

Academic coursework, research, practicum, or internship experience related to extreme weather (i.e. heat) and health, environmental health, epidemiology, public health surveillance, or extreme weather impacts on health.
Experience with quantitative datasets and applying statistical or analytical methods using software such as R, SAS, Python, Stata, or similar tools.
Familiarity with public health surveillance systems, environmental health data, geographic information systems (GIS), or data visualization platforms is desirable.
Experience conducting literature reviews, synthesizing scientific evidence, and communicating technical information through written reports, presentations, or scientific posters.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey scientific concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple assignments while acting independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Interest in environmental trends, environmental public health, health equity, and the application of scientific evidence to support public health practice and decision-making.
Experience collaborating on academic, research, or public health projects involving multiple partners or disciplines is considered an asset.
Point of Contact
Rachel
Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
Degree: Master’s Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.