CDC Healthy Aging Science Fellowship

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the Healthy Aging Science Team in the Healthy Aging Branch (HAB), Division of Population Health (DPH), within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) 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.

The Division of Population Health’s Healthy Aging Branch mission is to strengthen public health capacity, expertise, and partnerships to help adults across the lifespan — including those with arthritis or Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias — live productive and independent lives with improved quality of life and reduced disability. 

Research Project: This ORISE fellow training opportunity will focus on building public health analytic skills related to healthy aging topics, like Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Arthritis. The fellow will participate in scientific activities across national initiatives working to advance cognitive and brain health, and public health action for arthritis and supporting program activities as integral components of public health practice, and to keep older Americans healthy and independent.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will train on the following projects and activities related to Healthy Aging:

• Learn to analyze complex survey data
• Learn to conduct literature reviews on healthy aging topics
• Collaborate to the development of manuscripts, reports and/or data briefs, and facts sheets
• Train on how state and local technical assistance inquiries are responded to related to healthy aging topics
• Participate in developing and using infographics, tables, charts and other tools to convey scientific information and research findings

Learning Objectives: The participant will increase their understanding of public health approaches to Healthy Aging. The participant will also increase their knowledge and skills related to public health and complex survey data analyses. The participant will collaborate with scientific and programmatic teams to support project goals and objectives and improve presentation and oral communication skills by presenting on their fellowship activities at branch meetings at least once per year.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Beth Fallon (uhc6@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year 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  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 master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or be currently pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Experience or knowledge regarding public health, epidemiology, and surveillance
• Experience or knowledge related to data analysis, interpretation and visualization
• Experience or knowledge with statistical analysis software such as with the application of SAS or other relevant platforms for large complex, database management systems
• Experience or knowledge performing statistical and epidemiological analysis of complex datasets and disseminating results broadly
• Ability to collaborate with other scientific and professional staff

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.