Intern- Tick Study (Fellowship)

This project provides fellows with the unique opportunity to train in various aspects of vector
borne disease surveillance and laboratory confirmation. Through a collaboration between the
Georgia Dept. of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
fellows will do both field and laboratory work in support of the Georgia program.

Fellows will collaborate with the Microbiology Laboratory or Disease Ecology Laboratory at
CDC to detect and potentially isolate ehrlichial and rickettsial pathogens from field-collected
ticks obtained from multiple locations throughout Georgia. Initial screening by real-time PCR
assays or MiSeq using halves of ticks would identify those for isolation attempts using
various cell lines of mammalian and arthropod origin. Any isolates obtained in cell culture
would be evaluated by using MiSeq to characterize the isolate identity, purity, and genetic
makeup, with the distribution of ticks and their pathogens, along with pathogen prevalence,
tick abundance and phenology will provide the information needed to assess risk for
exposure across the state of Georgia.

The data on the distribution of ticks and pathogens in
the state will be utilized to build a county-level database for use in developing maps to use
for public education and healthcare provider awareness efforts in Georgia, while also being
provided to the CDC ArboNET system to be merged into national information.
In addition to tick and pathogen surveillance, the fellows will also assist in the follow-up
efforts after a case is reported to the state Vector-Borne Disease Coordinator.

In a short period after the report, fellows will travel to the acquisition sites or nearby to conduct field
collection of ticks. These would be brought back and identified to species, nucleic acids
extracted, and the ticks tested for rickettsial pathogens. This data would be entered into the
database as well as be used to inform any additional investigations on those cases. This will
better characterize the diseases and etiologies within the state of Georgia as many cases
can be misidentified. This can be used to inform the state health laboratory as well as the
healthcare providers as well.

The fellows will also be involved in other vector-borne disease surveillance activities such as
mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, and occasional reports of pest species (e.g.,
bedbugs). This will provide them with a broader perspective on the range of activities and
skills needed for effective vector-borne disease and vector-associated call response.
Resources. Fellows will be provided with laboratory space and supplies as needed to
conduct testing at the CDC. Overall supervision will be by the state public health
entomologist and the data generated will be the property of the state. CDC laboratory
activities will be supervised by senior laboratorians in the Microbiology Laboratory and
Disease Ecology Laboratory and conducted at either BSL-2 or BSL-3 conditions. Any
specific laboratory and safety training needed will be provided by the CDC staff. Access to
the laboratories will be upon approval of the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch chief. Periodic
seminars, journal clubs, and in-person events are also available to the fellows. RZB staff
include molecular biologists, entomologists, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and medical
professionals and all would serve as resources for the fellows.

CDC Laboratory Facility. The laboratories are located on the main campus of CDC in
Atlanta, GA. The laboratories are well equipped for microbiological, immunological, and
molecular analysis of human, other animal, and arthropod specimens associated with
rickettsial diseases, including anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fever group rickettsioses,
and typhus group rickettsioses. The Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch includes dedicated space
for tick rearing and experimentation, BSL-2 laboratories, BSL-3 laboratories, and additional
shared equipment and space. Biosafety cabinets and chemical fume hoods are readily
available in laboratories. The fellows would be trained in safety procedures and policies and
expected to abide by them at all times.

Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and leaders encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.

The use of wellness breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in wellness activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information

Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.

DPH accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

If you require accommodations under the American Disability Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to: DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.