CDC Multi-plex ELISA and Vaccine Immunogenicity: HPV Serology
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: A research participation opportunity is available in the Chronic Viral Diseases Branch HPV Immunology Laboratory for a master's-level participant interested in HPV serology, immunology, and public health laboratory science. This project contributes to CVDB's HPV serology program by applying the M9ELISA multiplex virus-like particle IgG assay on the Meso Scale Discovery platform to support HPV vaccine immunogenicity studies, seroepidemiology, and assay quality activities. Under mentor guidance, you will gain experience with antigen preparation concepts, specimen processing workflows, HPV antibody testing, assay controls, laboratory documentation, and data interpretation approaches used in serology research. The project may also include exposure to DNA purification, cell-culture-derived HPV virus-like particle production concepts, specimen tracking systems, and analysis of serology or assay performance data using Excel, R, or related laboratory data systems. This research aligns with CVDB's public health mission by strengthening methods that help characterize immune responses to HPV infection and vaccination and support monitoring of HPV vaccine impact.
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 serology concepts, including M9ELISA assay design, virus-like particle antigens, assay controls, and antibody response assessment.
- Learn specimen processing, tracking, storage, and documentation practices used for human biological specimens in public health laboratory research.
- Gain exposure to HPV antigen preparation concepts, including DNA purification, cell culture, and virus-like particle production and purification processes.
- Learn quality management principles for serology research, including SOP use, control review, reproducibility assessment, biosafety practices, and discrepancy review.
- Gain experience interpreting serology results and assay performance data using tools such as Excel, R, or laboratory data systems.
- Develop scientific communication skills through literature summaries, research discussions, and optional presentations of mentored research findings.
- Engage in potential opportunities to co-author posters/presentations/publications depending on contributions.
- Gain experience with 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, helping with outbreak responses, should the opportunities be available.
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 mentors for this opportunity are Troy Querec (hep0@cdc.gov) and Gitika Panicker (dhv1@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentors.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 28, 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 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.
- Applicant areas of interest may include but are not limited to HPV laboratory research, immunology, serology, molecular biology, virology, public health laboratory science, or infectious disease surveillance.
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).