CDC Training Fellowship in Molecular Pathology for Pathogen Diagnostics and Discovery

Description

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis. A fellowship opportunity is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. This fellowship provides mentor-guided training in molecular pathology for pathogen diagnostics and discovery. This project contributes to Infectious Disease Pathology Branch (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

• 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (molecular biology, molecular genetics or genomics). Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience in next generation sequencing is highly preferable. Experience in developing technology/assays is also desirable.
• Familiarity with Excel, R, Python, and UNIX/Linux operating system, and methods for the handling, storage and analysis of next generation sequence data is beneficial.
• Effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing, are also beneficial.

Pay

$65,271.00 – $78,972.00 Yearly