CDC Molecular Typing and Viral Surveillance: Human Papillomavirus

Application Deadline

9/25/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A research participation opportunity is available in the Chronic Viral Diseases Branch (CVDB), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, 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.

The Chronic Viral Diseases Branch (CVDB) is located within the Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in Atlanta, Georgia. CVDB conducts research on chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and human papillomavirus (HPV) with the goal of reducing the health burden of these conditions through excellence in population-based epidemiology, laboratory research, and public health education. CVDB’s HPV laboratory program supports molecular genotyping, serology, sequencing-based methods, assay evaluation, and surveillance activities that contribute to monitoring HPV infection, HPV-associated disease, and HPV vaccine impact.

Research Project: This project contributes to CVDB’s HPV laboratory program by applying molecular genotyping and sequencing-based methods to characterize HPV type diversity in specimens from surveillance and collaborative research activities, including HPV-IMPACT and related assay evaluation projects. Under mentor guidance, you will gain experience with the life cycle of HPV laboratory specimens, including nucleic acid extraction, HPV detection and genotyping, sequence-based data interpretation, quality control review, and laboratory data documentation. The project may include exposure to enriched whole-genome sequencing (eWGS), PCR-based HPV genotyping platforms such as Novaplex HPV28, and data analysis approaches used to support reliable HPV surveillance and vaccine impact monitoring. This research aligns with CVDB’s public health mission to strengthen laboratory methods for monitoring HPV infection, HPV-associated disease, and the impact of vaccination programs.

Research involving infectious agents or human biological specimens requires completion of CDC Form 0.838 prior to beginning the appointment.

Learning Objectives: You will:

• Gain experience in HPV molecular genotyping methods, including PCR-based detection and type-specific interpretation for clinical or surveillance specimens.
• Learn nucleic acid extraction, specimen quality review, and laboratory data documentation practices used in HPV surveillance research.
• Gain exposure to enriched whole-genome sequencing (eWGS) concepts, including target enrichment, Illumina sequencing, and HPV type-calling approaches.
• Learn quality management principles for HPV laboratory research, including SOP use, assay controls, reproducibility assessment, and discrepancy review.
• Gain experience analyzing HPV genotype distributions and assay performance metrics using tools such as R, SAS, or laboratory data systems.
• Develop scientific communication skills through literature summaries, research discussions, and optional presentations of mentored research findings.
• Learn how HPV laboratory data contribute to population-based surveillance programs such as HPV-IMPACT and to broader evaluation of HPV vaccine impact.
• Gain exposure to molecular biology techniques such as in vitro homologous recombination, site-directed mutagenesis, and in vivo recombineering for construction and analysis of HPV reference materials
• Engage in potential opportunities to co-author posters/presentations/publications depending on contributions.
• Gain experience collaborating with domestic and international partners.
• Learn how to develop and implement laboratory robotics and automation in compliance with laboratory quality and safety programs.
• Have opportunities to contribute to public health activities outside of the branch such as CDC Museum educational events, volunteering at internal symposia and conferences, assisting with outbreak responses, should the opportunities be available and the fellow demonstrates sufficient training progression with the fundamentals of the project.

CVDB has extensive experience in mentorship and strongly believes in engagement with the community we serve; additional professional development opportunities may become available following discussion with the mentor.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Troy Querec (hep0@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 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 a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• To make best use of this advanced laboratory training opportunity, it is desirable that the fellow has laboratory experience outside of an undergraduate classroom. 

Point of Contact

Rachel

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).