Bio Career Center

CDC's mission is to promote health and quality-of-life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. CDC accomplishes its mission by working with national and international partners to monitor health, detect and investigate health problems, conduct research to enhance prevention, develop and advocate sound public health policies, implement prevention strategies, promote healthy behaviors, foster safe and healthful environments, and provide leadership and training.

CDC is committed to programs that reduce health and economic consequences of leading causes of death and disability and that ensure a long, productive, healthy life for all persons. This commitment is executed by professionals with diverse backgrounds. Physicians, biologists, biochemists, pharmacists, engineers, veterinarians, health educators, nurses, health communications specialists, trainers, instructional designers, and other specialties provide invaluable skill sets that enable meaningful public health contributions nationally and internationally. CDC scientists research an array of public health topics, including pandemic influenza and HIV microbicide identification and testing. For persons with research or clinical experience, multiple CDC opportunities for growth and improvement of competencies in areas of professional interest are available.

Title 42 — Public Health Service — Fellowship programs covered by Title 42 of the Public Health Service Act are open to U.S. citizens and noncitizens. Duration of initial assignments is equal to 5 years and can be extended in 5-year increments. These fellowships are classified by education and experience. More information about the Title 42 program is located at the CDC Public Health Training and Fellowships Internet site, http://www.cdc.gov/employment/pubhealth.htm.

• Senior Service Fellows: Qualifications for Senior Service fellows include a doctoral degree or foreign equivalent from a recognized college or university and substantial postdoctoral experience in a scientific field related to CDC's mission.
• Associate Service Fellows: Qualifications for Associate Service fellows include a master's degree or foreign equivalent from a recognized college or university and related postgraduate experience.

Epidemic Intelligence Service — The Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a unique 2-year, postgraduate program of service and on-the-job training for health professionals interested in epidemiology. Each year, CDC's EIS program selects 70–80 persons from among the nation's top health professionals to pursue on-the-job training in applied epidemiologic skills — skills vital to maintenance of public health. EIS officers play a major role in the implementation of CDC's mission of preventing disease and injury and promoting healthy lifestyles. While serving on the front line of national and international epidemiologic activity, EIS officers

• conduct epidemiologic investigations, research, and public health surveillance;
• serve the epidemiologic needs of state health departments;
• present epidemiologic papers at scientific and medical conferences and publish their work in scientific literature; and
• disseminate vital public health information to the media and public.

Eligibility and information on applying to EIS is located at http://www.cdc.gov/eis/.

Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program — The Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program (PHIFP) at CDC provides training and experience for participants to effectively apply computer and information science and technology to real public health concerns. This includes the ability to lead and manage the design, development, and implementation of public health information systems. Fellows participate in

• training in informatics and public health;
• teams that research and develop critical CDC information systems;
• new and innovative projects;
• developing, evaluating, implementing, and managing new public health information systems, as well as adapting and supporting existing systems.

Information on applying to PHIFP is located at http://www2.cdc.gov/epo/dphsi/index.asp.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory Fellowships — The Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) laboratory fellowship program, sponsored by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and CDC, trains and prepares scientists for careers in public health laboratories and supports public health initiatives related to infectious disease research.

The EID advanced laboratory training fellowship is a 1-year program designed for bachelor's- or master's-level scientists, with emphasis on practical application of technologies, methodologies, and practices related to emerging infectious diseases.

The EID laboratory research fellowship is a 2-year program designed for doctoral-level (i.e., PhD, MD, or DVM) scientists to conduct high-priority infectious disease research. Areas of training and research include development and evaluation of diagnostic techniques, antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance, principles and practices of vector or animal control, emerging pathogens, and laboratory-epidemiology interaction.

Fellows are placed in local, state, or federal public health laboratories throughout the United States. Fellows receive a stipend, medical insurance, costs for travel to the host laboratory, and a professional development allowance. More information on applying to the EID program is located at http://www.aphl.org/training_and_fellowships/fellowships/Pages/default.aspx. Information on public health training opportunities sponsored by CDC and other public health-related organizations is located at http://www.cdc.gov/phtrain.

Senior Biomedical Research Service — The Senior Biomedical Research Service (SBRS) provides opportunities for outstanding persons actively engaged in either original, peer-reviewed biomedical research or clinical research evaluation. Candidates for SBRS must have a doctoral-level degree in a scientific field. A committee evaluates each candidate's qualifications, experience, and scientific credentials. SBRS positions are posted at http://www.usajobs.gov/. Each announcement includes detailed instructions on how to apply.

Distinguished Consultant — CDC's program for distinguished consultants provides opportunities for outstanding scientists who are actively engaged in original public health research, evaluation, or studies that have an impact in the consultant's field. A committee evaluates each candidate's qualifications, experience, and scientific credentials. To qualify, candidates must have a doctoral degree or foreign equivalent in a scientific field, experience in a health or scientific assignment, and experience and time-in-grade for senior-level scientific positions. To be considered, candidates must have evidence of recognition as a national or international specialist in their field (e.g., invited manuscripts, presentations, consultations, receipt of honors and awards, or other recognition for performance or contributions to the field), evidence of major original scientific or scholarly contributions in their field, proven leadership, and special knowledge and skills that will benefit CDC.

All job opportunities for distinguished consultants are posted at http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9hhs.asp. Each announcement includes detailed instructions on how to apply.

Within CDC, multiple rewarding public health career paths exist. While navigating the search for a public health career, look for enriching public health experiences and courses and stay informed of CDC employment opportunities.

In pursuing employment in public health fields, multiple experiences can be useful to applicants. Knowledge and skills associated with different aspects of public health are valuable for persons interested in public health careers. The following experiences might be useful:

• experiences with local, state, or territorial public health departments;
• program or project leadership;
• epidemiology research;
• behavioral science research; or
• coursework in public health.