What are the responsibilities and job description for the CDC Office of Communication Fellowship position at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
CDC Office and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the Division of Media Relations (DMR) of the Office of Communications (OC) 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 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.
Research Project: The Office of Communication (OC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention serves as the hub for agency communication and strategy. As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen and streamline health communication products, processes, and day-to-day operations, OC is offering a STEM-focused fellowship opportunity for an individual interested in learning about health communication, business analytics, and organizational optimization in a public health setting.
You will have the opportunity to train on projects focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of communication activities through data analysis, process evaluation, and problem-solving. Under mentorship from OC staff, you may learn about analyzing communication and operational data, identifying areas for improvement, and exploring research-informed approaches for identifying potential strategies to enhance the development and delivery of health communication materials.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain experience from OC staff and collaborators on research instruments, data collection processes, analysis, and reporting activities.
- Develop skills in conducting literature reviews and formative research to inform organizational and program objectives.
- Learn qualitative research methods through conducting in-depth interviews with internal stakeholders and staff.
- Build analytical skills by performing gap analyses and evaluating data to identify opportunities for process improvement.
- Gain experience preparing reports, presentations, and data summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Solange Han-Barthelemy (hey3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 31, 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.