CDC Poliovirus Wastewater Surveillance and Containment Sciences

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC-

11/6/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and

Location:

A research opportunity is currently available with the National Authority for Containment of Polio virus (U.S. NAC) within the Office of Readiness and Response (ORR) in collaboration with the Polio and Picornavirus Branch (PPB) within the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) 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.

This opportunity offers a mentored learning experience focused on advancing early detection and risk assessment of polio virus in the United States by translating wastewater genomic data into clear public health actions and guidance, enhancing preparedness for potential outbreaks, improving biosafety assurance at facilities handling live polio virus through validated wastewater testing for viral inactivation, advancing innovative methods to increase detection sensitivity, and developing evidence-based containment guidance.

You will engage in research activities such as systematic literature review, study design exploration, research experimentation, analysis of laboratory data, and communications such as development of manuscripts and presentations. The research experience may also include opportunities to collaborate with researchers and public health professionals across CDC and external partners to inform research design and leverage interdisciplinary approaches to emerging agnostic pathogen detection technologies.

Through participation in these research and training activities, you will gain exposure to how multidisciplinary teams collaborate to implement new technologies, interpret laboratory findings, and support surveillance efforts that inform public health decision-making for polio virus detection and response.

• Gain a mentored research experience focused on improving early detection and risk assessment of polio virus through wastewater surveillance.
• Develop skills in translating wastewater genomic and laboratory data into actionable public health guidance, outbreak preparedness, and response strategies.
• Learn approaches for validating wastewater testing methods that assess viral inactivation and support biosafety assurance at facilities handling live polio virus.
• Gain exposure to innovative methods for improving pathogen-detection sensitivity and developing evidence-based polio virus containment guidance.
• Participate in systematic literature reviews, study design, laboratory experimentation, data analysis, manuscript development, and scientific presentations.
• Collaborate with CDC researchers, public health professionals, and external partners on interdisciplinary approaches to pathogen detection and surveillance.
• Develop an understanding of how multidisciplinary teams implement emerging technologies, interpret laboratory findings, and inform public health decision-making.

The mentor for this opportunity is Christy Ottendorfer (uyk0). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

September 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.

The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend:
Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are…