Laboratory Science Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program

SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary is a max of $65,000 a year and is commensurate with experience. FPHNY offers a comprehensive benefits package.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
A major threat facing Public Health Laboratories (PHLs) nationally is a shortage of qualified individuals at both the leadership and technical levels. While NYC trains many doctoral an bachelor level scientists, few are aware that a career in public health laboratory science is a viable option, and even fewer are able to obtain the specialized training required to enter the field. The NYC PHL is a critical asset to the city; the work performed at the laboratory was essential to NYC’s successful public health responses to Ebola virus disease, Legionnaire’s outbreaks in the Bronx, countless foodborne outbreaks across the city, and a large meningococcal outbreak, to name a few recent examples. Currently the PHL is conducting critical testing for Zika virus.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The two-year post-doctoral fellowship program will focus on public health laboratory science and leadership. The program will follow the template of the programs set up by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health, and the American Society for Microbiology’s Committee on Postgraduate Education Programs.

The program will focus on four main activities: 1) laboratory sciences; 2) didactic learning; 3) research; and 4) laboratory leadership and management. Post-doctoral fellows will be introduced to all areas of the public health laboratory, including all testing areas as well as quality management, biosafety and biosecurity, information systems/information technology, administration (budgeting, personnel, etc.), and would interact with epidemiologists and clinical partners. Areas of focus would not only include the technical aspects of the laboratory, but also laboratory leadership and management. The fellow will participate as part of the management team and attend meetings within and outside the laboratory. During the latter part of the program, the fellow will focus on a specific area of interest, complete a research project, and serve as an “Acting Director” under the direct supervision of laboratory leadership. Select NYC PHL leadership will serve as mentors and guides for the fellow. PHL staff will also provide didactic learning sessions with the fellow to fortify their laboratory and leadership knowledge and skills. While at the PHL, the fellow will support current projects essential to the laboratory and will have opportunities to do independent research and to co-author publications. Additionally, fellows will be involved in outbreak investigations and implementing new testing platforms and assays during their tenure.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

RESPONSIBILITIES
Year 1: Rotations through all testing areas of the public health laboratory and clinical laboratory (Bellevue Hospital/NYC Langone). Duration of rotations may vary.
• Central Accessioning: 2 weeks
• Bacteriology: 8 weeks
• Tuberculosis: 6 weeks
• Molecular Typing and PulseNet: 3-4 weeks
• Molecular including virology: 6 weeks
• Viral Culture: 2-3 weeks
• Diagnostic Immunoloy: 4 weeks
• Biothreats Response: 4 weeks
• Environmental Microbiology: 2 weeks
• Environmental Chemistry: 2 weeks
• Clinical Laboratory rotation: 4-8 weeks
• Quality Management: 1-2 weeks formal, routine meetings throughout both years
• Biosafety and Biosecurity: 1-2 weeks formal, routine meetings throughout both years
• Laboratory Information Systems: 1 week formal, routine throughout both years
Year 2: Will have continued focus on quality management and biosafety, while also incorporating laboratory leadership, management, finance, and administration. The fellow will be expected to attend and actively participate in all senior leadership meetings, serve as PHL duty officer, and help provide assistance in making management decisions. The fellow will also engage in at least one public health laboratory research project.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
1. Doctoral degree in physical sciences (PhD, DrPH, DSc, etc.) or Medical degree (MD, DO, etc.)
2. Graduate education in public health, microbiology, virology, immunology, environmental sciences.
3. Ability to think critically and independently and lead research projects
4. Ability to work well as part of a team
5. Willingness to learn about new methodologies and governmental policies
Preferred:
1. 2 years of public health or clinical laboratory experience

Related link:
Laboratory Science Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program