Environmental Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program

Environmental Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program PROGRAM PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION The Environmental Public Health (EPH) Laboratory Fellowship Program is designed to help strengthen local, state and federal public health infrastructures to support surveillance and implement prevention and control programs specific to environmental health initiatives. The fellowship will also promote and support public health and environmental laboratories by easing the workforce shortage that these laboratories face. The program provides APHL-member public health and environmental laboratories the opportunity to enhance their capabilities in clinical testing for environmental exposures and provides fellows with the opportunity to obtain a working knowledge of specific technologies and real-world laboratory practices. It will also expand the fellow s scope and understanding of public health research and lend leadership opportunities. Host laboratories will: Recruit and host a one or two year full-time fellow (not a person who is currently on staff) to work on a project in their laboratories. Laboratory directors must identify a mentor and project for the prospective fellows. During their fellowship, fellows may receive short- term (2-6 week) training opportunities related to their specific project from other member laboratories or other appropriate facilities. Laboratory directors must identify their specific needs and the corresponding technologies and practices that would benefit the laboratory. For example, training may focus on: Development and application of analytical methods for measuring organic and inorganic toxicants and their metabolites in physiologic samples collected from people. Development and application of methods in biomarker analysis or molecular biology (e.g.., methods used to analyze samples for studies of special populations and subgroups susceptible to exposure to environmental toxicants. Development and application of methods for screening groups of individuals to determine exposure, nutritional, or smoking status. Development of innovative, appropriate, and sustainable clinical methods suitable for use by local and state environmental health programs. 1

ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION INFORMATION Any APHL-member public health or environmental laboratory may apply to the fellowship. Interested laboratories must submit an application form to APHL for consideration. Interested laboratories must fulfill the following requirements: Demonstrate needed project: Specify how the proposed project for the fellow fits laboratory strategic objectives and will benefit laboratory practices. Verify that appropriate instrumentation, facilities, and dedicated staff are available for the fellow. Propose timeframe for training(s) and subsequent technology transfer of methods learned during training(s), if applicable. Identify training provider(s) and their commitment to provide the requested training within the proposed timeframe (refer to Host Laboratory Training Facility Collaboration below) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Provide a scope of work for the fellow, including specific needs of host laboratory related to clinical testing and research in environmental exposures. Stipulate that the fellow s grade point average in chemistry and other science courses is at least a B at the undergraduate level (beyond that, GPA in chemistry courses should be an A) and indicate the education, skills and experience required of the fellow. Determine length of fellowship (1 year, with an optional 1 year extension). Consider prospect for employment upon completion of fellowship (it is anticipated that following the fellowship, the laboratory may have permanent employment opportunities for the fellow to continue to work in support of priority environmental health laboratory activities). HOST LABORATORY REQUIREMENTS Prospective host laboratories must meet the following requirements: Demonstrate a need to establish and expand clinical testing and research in environmental exposures. Actively recruit applicants and participate in the interview and selection process. Supply the fellow with appropriate office and laboratory space, facilities, technical and clerical support (including an email account), and access to necessary equipment and personnel as needed fellow to implement program requirements. Ensure that the fellow participates in research in progress or other relevant seminar series or teleconferences. Designate a mentor to provide administrative and programmatic oversight. See below for Mentor Responsibilities and Requirements. Provide a written report to APHL of the fellowship experience on a quarterly basis to ensure sufficient progress has occurred. 2

Designate an on-site facilitator to interact with the fellow, mentor, and host laboratory personnel. This individual will assist the fellow in becoming situated in the area, including helping the fellow locate local housing and transportation. HOST LABORATORY TRAINING FACILITY COLLABORATION APHL, with concurrence from CDC s Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, will assist the host laboratory in identifying appropriate facilities that could provide short-term training to EPH Laboratory fellows. However, once facilities have been identified, it is incumbent upon the host laboratory to establish a specific agenda with such training facilities to be considered for the program. Agencies that may be qualified to provide short-term training to EPH Laboratory fellows include APHLmember laboratories, CDC/NCEH laboratories, other state or federal agencies (such as Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, or National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) or private equipment vendors. MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS The mentor will be a highly experienced public health laboratorian who will guide and direct the fellow for the duration of the program. The mentor will be a full-time employee at the host laboratory and be responsible for the development of the fellow. The mentor must meet the following requirements: Hold a supervisory level laboratory position. Have research or training experience/goals complimentary to the fellow s project. Be available and accessible for the duration of the program. Meet weekly with the fellow to review progress. Provide a realistic appraisal of the fellow s goals and performance, based on objectives agreed upon at the beginning of the assignment. Provide constructive criticism and enthusiastic support to the fellow. Provide periodic written reports to APHL on the fellow s progress. Provide quarterly reports to APHL and CDC on the fellow s performance in the laboratory and on his or her progress with the designated project. RECRUITMENT AND CONFIRMATION The host laboratory is expected to take on the role of the primary recruiter. Interested individuals will submit an application to the host laboratory for review. Appropriate candidates will be interviewed by the host laboratory and APHL and NCEH/CDC program staff. Training will be customized on the basis of the host laboratory s needs and capabilities and the fellow s experience and areas of interest. The fellow and host laboratory must complete a plan of action outlining specific training goals. As appropriate, fellows will receive training in other relevant areas. Such 3

training may include: (1) participation in a laboratory assignment to assist in the field investigation of a suspected toxicant exposure (2) participation in "research-in-progress" or other seminar series; (3) presentation of research results at local or national meetings; (4) publication of research results in a peer-reviewed journal or (5) participation in appropriate management or leadership training courses. FELLOW REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS Applicants to the EPH Laboratory fellowship program must meet the following eligibility requirements: Have had at least a B average in chemistry courses for undergraduates and an A average in chemistry courses for graduate students. Have a minimum of a bachelor s degree by the beginning of the program. The host laboratory may require an advanced degree (or other specific education, skills, or experience) as part of their specific application. Be a U.S. citizen. Be prepared to work the regular workweek of the host laboratory and conform to all the rules and regulations of the host laboratory, including safety, security and personnel policies. The following benefits are provided to EPH Laboratory fellows: A stipend, to be disbursed on a biweekly basis. Current rates for 2015 are $33,380 for fellows with a bachelor s degree; $37,209 for fellows with a master s degree; and $45,792 for fellows with a postdoctoral degree. These rates are based on the federal GS scale and are adjusted for specific localities. Individual (single) major medical insurance. Funds to travel to the host laboratory. (Relocation funds are not provided.) An allowance for travel and living expenses associated with time spent at training facility (airfare, lodging, per diem, local transportation, etc.) A professional development allowance to include attendance at appropriate professional meetings, training courses, purchase of relevant books or software. The customary leave and holidays of the host laboratory. FELLOW APPLICATION EVALUATION/SELECTION The host laboratory will evaluate each fellow application and make a recommendation to APHL and CDC regarding which candidates should be interviewed based on: Education (including GPA for chemistry courses), skills, and experience of the candidate. Preference will be given to potential fellows who demonstrate high marks in chemistry and other science courses. Reasons for participation in the program/career goals. References/letters of recommendation. Degree to which candidate can meet the needs of the host laboratory. 4

The most qualified applicants will be invited to interview at the host laboratory. Interviews will include at least one member of the host laboratory (the proposed mentor) and one member of the APHL/NCEH program committee, that will be comprised of APHL, CDC and EH Committee representatives (participation via teleconference if travel is not possible). APHL will reimburse travel expenses to the interview if needed. Fellow selection will be non-discriminatory with respect to race, color, creed, age, sex, or national origin; appropriate consideration will be given to the physically handicapped. HOW TO APPLY Deadline to submit all application materials and pages 6 and 7 of this application package is Friday, October 23, 2015 to the following address: EPH Laboratory Fellowship Program Attention: Sarah Wright Association of Public Health Laboratories 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 700 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Tel. 240-485-2784 Fax 240-485-2700 Email: sarah.wright@aphl.org 5

OVERVIEW AND INSTRUCTIONS APHL-member public health laboratories may apply to host an EPH Laboratory fellow. The host laboratory and staff must demonstrate the ability to provide training or research opportunities for the appropriate duration as described in the fellowship program timeline. There is no guarantee that an eligible laboratory will receive a fellow. Please evaluate the following responsibilities and requirements. For consideration, complete and sign the application forms. Applications can be submitted via email, fax or mailed to APHL. Signature pages must be included. Laboratory Name: Address: Laboratory Director Name: Phone: Fax: Email: Mentor Name: Phone: Fax: Email: On-site Facilitator Name: Phone: Fax: Email: 6

APPLICATION MATERIALS 1. Attach a one-page scope of work (SOW) describing the proposed training and technology transfer your laboratory would expect from an EPH Laboratory fellow. Include the following: a. List the requirements you have for a prospective fellow (education, including grade point average in chemistry courses; skills; and experience). b. The length of the proposed fellowship (1 year, with an optional 1 year extension). c. List the training facilities you have identified and include the specific objectives for each training period (timeline, length of training, personnel who will provide training), and how that training will be incorporated into the work of your laboratory. Note: If you do not know of appropriate training facilities, contact APHL for assistance. d. Describe the fellow s access to laboratory workspace, office workspace as well as computer access and administrative support. e. Would your laboratory be able to augment the fellow s stipend? If yes, describe below the type of assistance and method of remuneration. Note: Your response to this question will not affect the approval of your application. 2. Attach a description of the mentor s experience and qualifications. This description should include the candidate s primary area of laboratory expertise, current responsibilities, and any previous mentoring or supervisory experience. a. Include a curriculum vitae (two pages maximum). 3. It is understood that this laboratory will receive no direct financial compensation for participation in this program. Please sign below: Signature of Mentor: Signature of Laboratory Director: 7