CDC Global Emergency Response and Preparedness

Reference Code: CDC-2026-0040

About the role

A research opportunity is currently available with the Office of the Associate Director for Emergency Response and Preparedness (ADERP) in the Global Health Center (GHC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

The CDC protects America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and domestic. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats by conducting critical science and providing health information.

Research Project

ADERP supports preparedness and response activities in international settings in collaboration with CDC’s overseas offices, Ministries of Health, and other partners. This project aims to improve understanding of the types of emergencies and response activities supported by CDC to strengthen awareness of CDC’s role in protecting Americans overseas.

• Analyze global public health event reporting data submitted by CDC’s overseas and program offices to characterize events, response activities, and challenges.
• Use data to improve reporting systems and tools, influencing leadership decisions around preparedness (e.g., training needs, resource allocation).
• Develop findings into a manuscript and other communications products for public health and general audiences.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about CDC’s overseas support for public health emergencies and its role in protecting American citizens.
• Gain experience analyzing report data and making recommendations for reporting system and tool improvements.
• Develop skills in scientific writing, data interpretation, and dissemination of public health findings.
• Learn about the development of scientific products and improve presentation and communication skills.
• Understand how epidemiologic findings are translated into actionable public health information for preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Develop oral and written communication skills through team meetings, trainings, and collaborative projects.
• Gain experience with communications for ADERP Team and GHC leadership, such as announcements and event summaries.
• Participate in activities to improve preparedness for public health events overseas, including evaluating preparedness activities or collaborating on training development and delivery.
• Increase awareness of CDC’s role in response by completing general responder training and role-specific trainings.
• Gain experience supporting active public health events overseas, including participation in outbreak response coordination calls and deployments.

Schedule

The appointment is full time.

Qualifications

• The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in a relevant field within the past five years.

Preferred Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to think critically and analyze findings.
• Experience synthesizing, summarizing, and presenting information from multiple sources in written reports, presentations, or other communication products.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and public health partners.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple activities.
• Experience with data management, analysis, and visualization is beneficial.

Benefits

• Stipend rates may vary based on opportunity, location, education, and experience. If interviewed, you may inquire about the exact stipend rate.
• Participants are required to have health insurance; coverage can be obtained through ORISE.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.
• Degree: Master’s Degree received within the last 60 months.
• Discipline(s): Communications and Graphics Design, Health Communications, Science Writing, Life Health and Medical Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences.
• Applicants must certify they have not previously been employed by CDC or a CDC contractor. Exceptions may apply for individuals who have obtained a new STEM degree necessitating training in a new field.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including COVID-19 requirements (e.g., facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).