CDC Training Fellowship in Molecular Pathology for Pathogen Diagnostics and Discovery

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available 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: This fellowship provides mentor-guided training in molecular pathology for pathogen diagnostics and discovery. This project contributes to Infectious Disease Pathology Brach (IDPB)’s molecular pathology program by applying molecular and sequencing-based methods to detect a broad range of pathogens in fixed tissues.

Under mentor guidance, you will gain experience with various diagnostic approaches, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, Sequencing, In Situ Hybridization (ISH), quality control review, and laboratory data analysis and documentation. The project may provide exposure to Sanger sequencing, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), PCR-based platforms such as QIAcuity digital PCR (dPCR) system, and data analysis approaches used to support reliable pathogen detection.

This project aligns with IDPB’s public health mission to develop, improve, evaluate, and apply laboratory technology to detect microbial agents for comprehensive pathology evaluation to support outbreak and epidemiological investigations.

Learning Objectives: You will:

• Gain experience in molecular testing methods, including PCR-based detection and pathogen-specific interpretation for clinical specimens.
• Participate in molecular method development including digital PCR, ISH, and NGS approaches for pathogen discovery and detection.
• Receive training in NGS workflow, including library preparation, Illumina/MinIon sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and pathogen identification approaches.
• Learn to evaluate, analyze, and interpret NGS data using appropriate software and analytical tools.
• Gain exposure to specimen review, quality control, and laboratory data documentation practices used in molecular diagnostics.
• Learn quality management principles and practice for CLIA laboratory, including SOP use, assay controls, stability assessment, and discrepancy review.
• Gain experience analyzing assay performance metrics using tools such as R, Python, or laboratory data management systems.
• Develop scientific communication skills through manuscripts, reports, and optional presentations of mentored research findings.
• Have potential opportunities to co-author posters/presentations/publications depending on contributions.
• Learn how to develop and implement laboratory robotics and automation in compliance with laboratory quality and safety programs.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Tengguo Li (uyy7@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 21, 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.

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.

Salary : $65,271 - $78,972