Doctoral Fellowship

The Fund for Public Health in New York City (FPHNYC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. In partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), FPHNYC incubates innovative public health initiatives implemented by DOHMH to advance community health throughout the city. FPHNYC facilitates partnerships between government and the private sector to develop, test, and launch new initiatives.

About the role

We are a multidisciplinary team of more than 200 laboratory professionals, spanning key Public Health Laboratory (PHL) areas including bacteriology, virology, and environmental science. The fellowship experience is designed to provide comprehensive training that will prepare fellows for careers in public health laboratory science. Past fellows have gone on to manage PHL units in NYC and other states, as well as industry positions and laboratory fellowships at CDC.

The two-year post-doctoral fellowship training program focuses on four main activities: laboratory sciences, didactic learning, research, and laboratory leadership and management. Fellows will be introduced to all areas of the public health laboratory, including testing areas, quality management, biosafety and biosecurity, information systems, and administration. Fellows will interact with epidemiologists, clinical partners, and senior NYC Health Department leadership while developing management skills.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through key Public Health Laboratory units and gain hands-on experience in laboratory testing, quality management, biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory information systems.
• Support ongoing laboratory projects, investigations, and public health response activities.
• Participate in the development, validation, and implementation of laboratory assays and methodologies.
• Conduct independent or collaborative research related to public health laboratory science.
• Analyze laboratory data and communicate findings to laboratory leadership and other public health partners.
• Present research findings at professional conferences and contribute to manuscripts and other scientific publications.
• Participate in laboratory leadership meetings and gain experience in laboratory administration, budgeting, personnel management, and operations.
• Collaborate with epidemiologists, clinical partners, academic institutions, and local, state, and federal public health agencies.
• Complete structured laboratory rotations while working with assigned mentors to develop technical, research, leadership, and management skills.

Laboratory Rotations

• Central Accessioning: 2 weeks
• Bacteriology: 8 weeks
• Mycobacteriology: 6 weeks
• Molecular Typing and PulseNet: 3–4 weeks
• Virology/Molecular Core: 6 weeks
• Diagnostic Immunology: 4 weeks
• COVID/STI Quickie Laboratory: 1 week
• Biothreat Response: 1–2 weeks
• Environmental Microbiology: 2 weeks
• Environmental Chemistry: 2 weeks
• Whole Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics: 4 weeks
• Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Rotation: 2–4 weeks
• Quality Management: 1–2 weeks, plus routine meetings throughout both years
• Biosafety and Biosecurity: 1–2 weeks, plus routine meetings throughout both years
• Laboratory Information Systems: 1 week, plus routine meetings throughout both years

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in life sciences (PhD, DrPH, DSc, etc.) or medical degree (MD, DO, etc.)
• Graduate education in microbiology, virology, immunology, or environmental sciences
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and independently and lead research projects
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team
• Willingness to learn about new laboratory methodologies and governmental policies

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy
• Medical, dental, and life insurance with low or no employee contribution
• A retirement savings plan with generous employer contribution
• Flexible spending medical and commuter benefits plan

Pay

$80,000–$85,000

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; 35 hours per week. Hybrid; 4 days in office, 1 day remote.

Residency Requirement: You must live in the New York City Tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) to be considered for this position.